, BEL.
3 9999 06544 614 6
November 4, 1931.
Thomas A. Hull en, Esquire
Chairman, George Washington Dicentennial Committee
of the City of Boston
Room 43, City Hall, Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I have your communication of recent date, together with enclos-
ures all setting forth the desire of the United States George Wash-
ington* Bicentennial Commission for the loan of portraits by Gilbert
Stuart of George Washington now in the custody of the Museum of Fine
Arts in Boston.
It appears that it is the desire of this Commission to assemble
in Washington for this bicentennial commemoration the works of art
which are located in different parts of the country, and which reveal
the likeness of General Washington.
In reply be advised tnat these portraits were, on November 19,
1876, by vote of the City Government, placed in the care and custody
of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The only limitation imposed being,
- "until further order."
Whether or not such permission should be given by the City Govern-
ment is, of course, a matter of policy which rests in the final
analysis with the Mayor. It should be remembered that Insurance cannot
replace these paintings in the event of loss by fire, theft or
destruction.
I am, however, enclosing a copy of an order which, if adopted by
the City Council and approved by the Mayor, will permit the Museum of
Fine Arts to so loan. __ -
Very truly yours,
CITY OF BOSTON
IN CITY COUNCIL
ORDERED: That permission is hereby given to the Museum
of Fine Arts in Boston to loan to the George Washington Bicen-
tennial Commission for exhibition purposes in the galleries of the
United States National Museum, in conjunction with the celebration
of the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the birth of George Washington,
the portraits of George Washington the property of the City of Boston,
placed in the care and custody of the said Museum of Fine Arts in
Boston on November 19, 1876.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED: That if advantage is taken of
the permission herein granted to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston
the entire expenses connected therewith, including the packing,
transportation, shipping and insuring of said portraits shall be
borne entirely by the United States George Washington Bicentennial
Commission. f
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
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http://archive.org/details/reportsofproceed1876bost
November 4, 1931.
Thomas A. Mullen, Esquire
Chairman, George Washington Dicentennial Committee
of the City of Boston
Room 43, City Hall, Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I have your communication of recent date, together with enclos-
ures all setting forth the desire of the United States George Wash-
ington Bicentennial Commission for the loan of portraits by Gilbert
Stuart of George Washington now in the custody of the Museum of Fine
Arts in Boston.
It appears that it is the desire of this Commission to assemble
in Washington for this bicentennial commemoration the works of art
which are located in different parts of the country, and which reveal
the likeness of General Washington.
In reply be advised that these portraits were, on November 19,
1876, by vote of the City Government, placed in the care and custody
of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The only limitation imposed being,
- "until further order."
Whether or not such permission should be given by the City Govern-
ment is, of course, a matter of policy which rests in the final
analysis with the Mayor. It should be remembered that insurance cannot
replace these paintings in the event of loss by fire, theft or
destruction.
I am, however, enclosing a copy of an order which, if adopted by
the City Council and approved by the Mayor, will permit the Museum of
Fine Arts to so loan. .. -
Very truly yours,
Samuel Silverman
■■KH
REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF BOSTON,
FOE THE MUNICIPAL YEAR 1876,
Commencing Monday, January 3d, 1876, and ending Monday,
January 1st, 1877.
BEING REPRINTS OF REPORTS AS PUBLISHED BY CONTRACT IN THE "BOSTON
EVENING TRANSCRIPT."
[Eighth Annual "Volume.]
BOSTON:
PRESS OF ROCKWELL & CHURCHILL, CITY PRINTERS.
(REPRINTS OF REPORTS FROM THE TRANSCRIPT PRESS.)
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
♦ ♦♦
The following Index has been prepared in accordance with
a vote of the Committee on Printing.
In its compilation, the following topics have been omitted,
as not essential, or as better classified for reference in
Department offices: —
Petitions received and referred. See City Clerk.
Orders of notice, and hearings, unless subjects of discussion.
See City Clerk.
Police Officers and Special Police. See Police Department.
Truant Officers. See School Department.
Conventions with School Committee See City Clerk.
Jurors, list of, and jurors drawn. See City Clerk.
Constables and Constables' Bonds. See City Clerk.
Streets, betterments assessed and abated. See Street Com-
missioners and Supt. Streets.
Streets, temporary closing, removal of obstructions, paving
in front of estates. See Supt. Streets.
Sowers, assessments made, abated, and postponed. See
Sewer Department.
Buildings, permits authorized. See Inspector of Buildings.
Public Buildings, use of granted. See Supt. Public Buildings
Extensions of time for building. See Supt Public Lands.
Taxes, assessed and abated. See Assessors.
Claims, allowed, and leave to withdraw, unless subjects of
discussion. See Clerk of Committees.
Leases. See Auditor of Accounts.
Licenses to Auctioneers, Undertakers, Victuallers, Pawnbrok-
ers, Newsboys, Bootblacks, and for Steam Engines and
Boilers, Hoisting Beams, Cellars below grade, Storage
of Petroleum, Stables, Carriages, Wagons, Sprinkling
Streets, Intelligence Offices, sale of Second-hand
Articles, Billiard Halls, Projecting Signs and Lan-
terns, Exhibitions, etc. See City Clerk.
INDEX.
ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT.
January 3d, 1876.
Prayer by Rev. Dr. Lorimer, 1
Oath of office administered to Hon. Samuel C. Cobb, Mayor-elect,
bv Hon. Horace Gray, Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial
Court, 1
Oaths of office administered by Mayor to members-elect of each
branch of City Council, 1
Delivery of Mayor's Inaugural Address, 1
t-amucl F. Met 'leary elected City Clerk, 5 ; Oath of office admin-
istered by Mayor, 5
ORGANIZATION AND REGULAR MEETINGS OF BOARD OF
ALDERMEN.
Board called to order by City Clerk, 1
John T. Clark elected chairman, 1
Address of chairman, 1
Notice to Common Council of organization, 1
Mondays, 4P.il., assigned for regular meetings, 2
ORGANIZATION AND REGULAR MEETINGS OF COMMON
COUNCIL.
Called to order by senior member, N. M. Morrison, 1
Credentials of members received, ami quorum it ported, 1
Notice to Mayor and Aldermen, of quorum present, 1
J. Q. A. Brackett elected President, 1
Address of President, 1
Washington P. Gregg elected clerk, 3
Oath of office administered to Clerk by City Solicitor, 3
Notice to Board of Aldermen of organization, 3
Thursday evenings, half-past 7, assigned for regular meetings, 3
ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF
ALDERMEN AM) COMMON COUNCIL.
[Precedi?ig the figures indicating page, a signifies Aldermen, c
Common Council.]
Adams, Ward 5 — remarks :
On Expenses of committees, 42
Mystic Valley Sewer, 52, 291
Inspectors of Elections, 91
Salaries of city officers, 108, 288, 381
Boston Water board, 123
Appropriation Bill, 2U2, 241
Election of Second Assistant Assessors, 219
Haymarket square Urinal, 242
Portland-street Widening, 266
License commissioners, 283, 417
Fourth July, 290, 307
Pay of city laborers, 396
Boston Water Board, 419, 439
Boundary line between Boston and Somerville, 407
South st. Widening, 4b'l
Winthrop Railroad, 462
Egleston-sq school-house lot, 518
Legality of election of Leonard It. Cutter, 520
Fire Commissioner, 542
Preservation of Paintings in Faneuil Hall, 585, 599
Sinking Funds, 015
Reduction of Water Rates, 636
Better facilities for Harbor Master, 644
Swett street, 658
Additional appropriation for Common, 671
Safety of Public Halls, etc., 681
Right to sound false fire alarms, 699, 716
City Collector's Clerks. 705
New City Charter, 714
Care of Almshouses, 737
Annexation —
Notice of petition for annexation of Brookline referred, a 572
Somerville, notice and resolve, laid on table, a 632
Resolve passed, inexpedient, a 655, c 660
Proposed annexation of part of Ward 23 to Dedham, a 623,
c 636 ; report, no action neceseary, a 727, c 732
Appropriations — see also Contingent Expenses.
Annual appropriations — see heading Auditor of Accounts.
Committee on Finance to consider retrenchments, c 19, a 23;
report accepted, a 159, c 164
Order to report certain action on department estimates re-
jected, c 22
Square on Commonwealth av. See Common.
Report relating to unexpended balance of City Hospital, a 101,
cl03
$67,246.17 to Parker Hill Reservoir, c 37, a 44
$3,000 for Mt. Hope Cemetery, a 528, c 530, a 570, c 581, a 5S7
$2,000 for Truant and Vagrant Home, a 575, c 581, a 587
$24.45 in Police Department, a 34, c 50
$234.67 in Mt. Hope Cemetery, a 34, e 50
$30,000 to Chelsea Bridge, a 115, c 166
$2,000 to Northampton-st. District, a 101, 115, c 166
$600 in Lunatic Hospital, c 127, a 134
$8,000 to square on Commonwealth avenue, a 158, c 188
$11,995.94 to Rice School-house, c 258, a 260
#40,000 to Grammar school-bouse, Everett District, a 321, c 345
#2,909.96 for Peach st. Widening, e 403, a 405
$8,000 for Prison-point Bridge, a 470, c 515
§12,000 for new building, Austin Farm, a 477, c 515
$200 to Sinking Fund Commissioners, a 492, c 502, 515
$12,000 for Austin Farm, c 515
$8,000 for Prison-point. Bridge, c 515
$4,871 53 for Church-street District, a 562, c 599
$2,000 for Prison-point Bridge, a ii87, c 626
4.3,000 for Mt. Hope Cemetery, a 587, c 620_
$2,000 for Truant and Vagrant Home, a 687, c 597
$1,500 for watering streets, a 633
$50,000 additional to Paving, a 633. c 636
$5,600 for School Committee building, a 634, c 636
$10,000 for Fire Alarm Telegraph, a 661, c 671
$1,200 for Registration of Voters, a 651,661, c 671
$8,000 for Common, etc, a 652, 661, c 071_
$250 for Record Commissioners, a 662. c 671
$1,000 for Pack Bay Improvement, a 686
$750 for Roekland-street Improvement, a 686
$1,000 for Social Law Library, a 687
$15,000 for Truant and Vagrant Home, a 701, c 705, a 726,
c 732
Armories — see Militia.
Army and Navy Monument —
Joint Special Committee, a 13, c 16
Assessors 1 Department —
Ordinance reported concerning assessment of taxes, a 34 ;
new draft, a 44, passed, a 67 ; referred, c 70, a 76; report,
c 98; ordinance passed, c 126, a 134
Order relating to reduction of city valuation, discussed, a 35,
47, rejected, 49
Report on petition of Mercantile Wharf Co. a 66 ; $1,238 tax
remitted, a 76 laid on table, c 104 ; recommitted, c D9,
a .93; report, concurrence, e 224, a 226
Report on evasion of taxation, order passed, c 75, a 76
Order passed to refund tax of heirs of Theodore W. Snow,
a 195, c 222
Notice of change of owners. ip of property, a 250, c 255
Resignation of Levi W. Shaw, a 488, c 499
Assessors' plans of estates, leport referred to Finance Com-
mittee, a 605, c 615 ; report, orders passed, a 632 ; laid on
table, c 660 ; passed, c 679 ; extra copies authorized, a 7' 3,
c 705
Resignation of H. W. Wilson, a 724, c 732
Auditor of Accounts —
Monthly Kxhibits: Jan., 12; Feb., 62; March, 138; April, 223;
May, 304; June, 355; July, 432; August, 476; September,
502 ; October, 549, November, 580, December, 676
Authorized to make closing transfers of appropriations, a 109,
cl88
Estimates for 1S7G-7 referred, e 119, a 134; report, c 165 ; dis-
cussion, c 186, 199; referred to Finance Committee with in-
structions, c 205; non-concurrence, a 207 ; discussion, ap-
propriation orders and tax levy passed, a 209 ; laid on table,
c 218, 222 ; discussed, amended and passed, c 240, a 244
Order to print annual report, a 278, c 304
Annual report, a 406
Badges —
Order offered, laid on table, c 132 ; motion to take from table
rejected, c 199 ; discussion, order passed, c 305
IV
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
Baggage see Unclaimed Baggage.
Ballast Lighten —
Quarterly reports, a 12, 213, 432, 535
Barr, Ward 6 —
Kirel Assistant Assessors, 168
Salary Bill, 266
Protection of chest nut -I I ill Reservoir, 819
I :i\ of cltj laborers,
Beeching, Ward 1 - - remarks :
Abolishing office of Barbor .Master, 50
Mj stir \ ailej Bewer, 64
Election of Harbor Master, 104
Salary Bill, 804, 348
Winthrop Railroad, K 2
Blast Boston Perries, 556
Bigelow, Alderman— remarks:
On works of art at the Centennial. 45
Raising grade of Everett 8 tree t, 114
Division of Ward 22. 186
Salaries, 80, 187, 188,214,800,312,340
clerk of Christian Onion Building, 180
('aniline Price's claim, 191, 455
Public Library Building, 197
Appropriation Hill, 208
Repaving Water street, Charlestown, 210. 225
Standard Laundry Machine Co.'s claim, 216
License Commissioners, 275
Paintings in Faneuil Hall, 312
Museum of Fine Arts, 313
Vegetable Market, 328, 458
Printing Park Report, 295
School-house in Dorchester-Everett District, 321
Revision of laws and ordinances, 338
Report of East Boston Perries, 349, 591
Regulation of cars on circuit, 309
Public Parks, 410
Pay of city laborers, 433
Licenses to kill birds, 470
Baiting horses in streets, 488
Projecting steps in Charlestown, 512, 528, 579
Paving Main street, 570
Alleged discharge of city laborers for political reasons, 575
Proposed Public square in Brighton, 589
Removal of obstruction from sidewalks, 591
Contract for 1S77 in Paving Dept., 605
Final election returns. 614
Additional appropriation for paving. 633
Gas Commission, 670
Safety of places of amusement, 684
School-bouse site in Washington Village, 725
Expense of litigation growing out of the great fire, 730
Clock on Metropolitan stable. 728
Street venders of fruit, etc., 747
Blodgett — Ward 8 — remarks :
Improved Sewerage, 362, 373
Boston Water Board, 440
Old State House, 3*3
Bonds of City Officers —
Order passed for annual examination, a 339 c 342
Bonds approved, a 354, 447, 729, 732
Order passed relating to Bond of Collector, c 365, a 366
Boston and Providence Railroad Co. —
Communication relating to land for station at Roslindale,
a 158 ; hearing, 191 ; report, a 245
Order passed relating to backs, a 730
Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad — (see also Railroad
Tracks in East Boston.)
Raising grade of Everett street, discussed, laid on table, 114
s-1 damages awarded John Jeffries, jr., a 229
Raising grade of Everett street — see Streets.
Order of notice to Dennis Nolan and Jeremiah Crowley, a 273 ;
bearing, subject laid on table, a 310
$5 damage to City of Boston and Howe's Wharf Corporation,
assessed, a 576
Boston, Winthrop and Point Shirley R. R. Co. —
Route established, a 323
Report, discussion, order passed, c 402; discussion laid on
table, a 465; discussion, amended order passed, a 471,
c 473
Boston Water Hoard — see Water.
Brackett, J. Q. A., Ward 17 —
Elected President ; 1 ; address, 1
Remarks on appointing Standing Committees, 16
On Investigation of charges of bribery and corruption, 68
Response to Resolution of Thanks, 744
Bridges —
Annual reports of Superintendents, a 12, 23, e 28, a 33
Leases of Buildings authorized, a 26, e 28 : a 213, e 218, 238
Annual report of Commissioner of Bridges between Boston and
Cambridge, a 44
Collgre-s-st. Bridge transferred to Committee, a 45, c 50
Dartmouth St., repair ordered, a 45, 249
Petitioning for authority to rebuild Chelsea ami Dover-st.
Bridges, and foract to regulate passage of vessels, a 46, c 50
Chelsea Bridge, repairs authorized, a 195
Warren Bridge, report on lease of building recommitted, a 195
Meridian street, repairs authorized; a 213
Charles river, repairs authorized, a 213
Warren, repairs authorized, a 213
Expediency of Commissioner on new draw for Prison-Point
Bridge, referred, a 218, c 218; report, a 278; ordinance
passed, a 294, c 819
Contract for lumber authorized, a 250
over Neponset river, Milton. 273
Western ave , repairs authorized. 277
Charles river closed for repairs, 312
( Ibelsea, rebuilding .and filling, 812
Huntington ave , repairs, a 818, 822, 337
Chelsea, discussion on reconstruction, a 328; order passed, a
889, c 842
Warren, repairs authorized, a 329
Passage ol vessels through drawbridges, a .'129, c 330
Dover St., order passed for repairs, etc , a 867 : closed for
repairs, a 460
Broadway, repairs, a 894 ; closed, 394: report on foot-path, 481
.Meridian -t , scttlrun nt of claims, a 304, c 395
Maiden, repairs authorized, a 467
Cottage Farm, repairs authorized, a 170
Albany St., agreement witb 1!. & A R, Co., a 468, C 472
Prison Point, request for $8,000 referred, a 468, c 472; report,
order passed, a 470
Broadway, 82,000 for repairs, a 537; $1,800 for extending pier,
a 573
Dover-st grade established, a 553
Granite bridge, closed for repairs, a 662
Cbelsea bridge, releases from Oriental Oil Co., a 687, c 689
Buildings — see also Public Building- 1 .
Annua] Report of Inspector, c ,il : semi-annual report, a 406
Committee authorized to giant permits, a 438, c 4i5
Safety of Public Halls and places of amusement, discussion,
order passed, c 679 : rejected, a 683 ; discussion, statemeut
of Inspector, a 703, C 705
Burnbam, Alderman — remarks :
On sale of Fireworks, 65
Division of Ward 22, 136
The Salary Pill, 154, 274, 279. 300, 340, 386
City Registrar's Department, 102
Clock of Christian Onion Building, 180
Appropriation Rill, 208
Caroline Price's claim, 229, 323, 455
Widening Portland street, 251
Srbool-house in Dorchester-Everett District, 321
Reconstruction of Cbelsea Bridge, 329
Regulation of cars on the circuit, ! 51
Improved Sewerage, 421
Pay of city laborers, 434
Vegetable Market, 451
Outlets of Sewers, 491
Nomination of Aaron II. Bean, 493
Widening South street, 495
Vacation for firemen, 524
Protection of laborers on city work, 525
Fire Commissioners, 525
Sewer in Henley st and Harvard sq., 564
Projecting steps in Charlestown, 570
Proposed Public Square in Brighton, 589
Drainage of Commercial street and Atlantic ave., 635
Soup for the poor, 004
Work for poor citizens, 684
Chelsea bridge, 687
Protection of laborers on city work, 721
Clock on Metropolitan stable, 728
Burrage, Alderman — remarks ;
On reduction of Commissions, 15, 27
Reduction of Salaries, 23
Cltj Registrar's Department, 26, 159, 177, 193, 250, 467
Public Urinals on Public Garden, 26
Report nominating Ferry Directors, 32, 44
Rule abolishing appropriation item classification, 34
Reduction of city valuation, 30, 47
Works of Art at the Centennial, 45
Mystic Valley Sewer, 60
Suing Signs, 66
System of Sewerage, 78
Raising Grade of Everett street, 114, 180
Congress-street Widening. 115, 227
Widening Portland street, 117
Salaries, 04, 80, 137, 155, 183, 213, 274, 279, 299, 312, 340, 366,
386
Inspectors of Elections, 135
Division of Ward 22, 135
Fitting up armories, 180
Clock of Christian Union Building, 180
Board of Health, 181
Caroline Price's claim, 191, 230, 295. 360, 455
Public Library Building, 196
Appropriation Bill, 207
Repaving Water street, Charlestown, 210
Widening Portland street, 211, 251
Standard Laundry Machine Co 's claim, 21fi
Electing Director for Public Institutions, 226
Old State House, 232, 388
Square on St. James avenue, 248
License Commissioners, 275, 404
Printing Park Report, 296
Paintings in Faneuil Hall, 312, 322
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
V
Madison square, 313
Museum of Fine Arts, 313
Raising grade of West Chester park, 321
School-house in Dorchester-Everett District, 321
Taving Border st., 323
Vegetable Market, 327, 451
Annual report of Public Institutions, 327
Reconstruction of Chelsea Bridge, 329
Revision of laws and ordinances, 338
Report of East Boston Ferries, 347, 591
Regulation of cars on the circuit, 336, 349, 368, 394
Marcella st. building for truant school, 385
Pay of City laborers, 405, 433
Improved Sewerage, 406, 421
Public Parks, 411, 426, 628
Winthrop Railroad, 464, 471
Boundary Lines between Boston and Somerville, 465
Licenses to kill birds, 470
Widening South street, 483, 495
Annual report of city Registrar, 485
Outlets of Sewers, 490
Fire Commissioners, 510, 525
Projecting steps in Charlestown, 512, 528, 551, 566, 576
Vacation for firemen, 624
Protection of laborers on city works, 525
Uncollectable taxes, 563
Sewer in Henley st. and Harvard sq., 564
Printed lists of voters, 665
Paving Maiu st., 570
Papers, etc., for members of City Council, 575
Bonfires in public streets and squares. 588
Proposed Public Square in Brighton, 589
Removal of obstructions from sidewalks, 590
Contract for 1877 in Paving Dept., 605
Additional payment to Michael Barrett, 605
Representative to Congress from Third Dist., 607
Obstruction in streets, 606
F'inal election returns, 614
Sinking Fund Act, 606
School Committee building, 634
Drainage of Commercial street aud Atlantic ave., 635
F'euces on Railroad tracks, 648
Treatment of drunkenness at institutions, 649
Election of Overseers of Poor, 650
Swett-street Extension, 653
Salaries of License Commissioners' Clerks. 653
Limitation of time for presentation of claims, 654
Truant children, 654
Fast driving. 654
Soup for the poor, 665
Gas Commission, 665
Work for poor citizens, 684
Chelsea bridge, 688
Armories, 702
Assessors' plans, 703
Safety of places of amusement, 704
Protection of laborers on city work, 722
School-house site in Washington Village, 726
Clock on Metropolitan Stable, 728
Expense of litigation growing out of great fire, 730
Street venders of fruit, etc. 747
Thanks to the Chairman, 750
Cemeteries —
Use of land in West Roxbury, report, a 311
Cellar Grove, annual report, a 359
Mt Hope, stable authorized, 313
Centennial Celebrations —
Committee on petition to send works of art to Exposition, a 14,
c 16 ; report, a 45 ; order rejected, a 59
Committee to report manner of celebrating 17th March and
4th July, a 14, c 16 ; report in part, order passed to engage
orators, a 25, c 28 ; report, in part, order passed relating to
17th March, a 35, c 50
Hack fares for Centennial Ball, a 101
Civilities to strangers authorized, a 117, c 166
Department offices closed Evacuation Day, a 163, c 164
Resolution of thanks to Rev. Geo. Ellis, and request for copy.
passed, a 180, c 185 ; order passed to print, a 180. c 185
Fourth duly, report discussed, c 289; order passed, c 307, a 310
Resolutions of U S. Congress referred, a 366
Of Roxbury. invitation accepted, a 632
Census — see aiso Elections —
Population of Boston, a 100
Church-street District — see Claims.
City Architect —
Order to purchase horse and vehicle, c 365, 373, 395, a 405
City Boundary Lines —
Order passed directing survey, a 163
Order passed to perambulate, a 359; report, order passed to
petition for change, a 450; referred, c 457; indefinitely
postponed, a 465
City Charter —
Referred to joint special committee, a 13, c 16 ; reports in part,
relative to ward officers, c 74, discussed, c 92 ; order passed,
c 127, a 131 ; report, c 676
Order referred to consider expediency of reducing commissions,
a 14; reconsideration refused, a 27 ; concurrence, c 28
Beference to next City Government, c 693, 709
City Clerk —
Quarterly report, a 62, a 275, a 468, a 603
City Couucil —
Official report of proceedings authorized, a 295, c 319
City Hospital —
Annual report, a 469
Second quinquennial report authorized, a 729, c 733
City Laborers —
Discussion on reducing pay, resolve passed, c 396 ; rejected, a 405
Order passed fixing pay for labor on Common, etc., c 420 ;
amended, a 433, c 435
Order relating to proposals for city work referred, c 504, a 506
Report accepted, leave to withdraw, on petition for protection
of laborers, c 519, a 524
Expediency of ordinance for protection of laborers referred, a
525, c 530 ; discussion, c G44, 660, 696 ; ordinance passed, c
707, a 72]
Alleged discharge for political reasons referred, a 575 ; report,
a 587
Labor for poor citizens, referred, a 662, c 676 ; new order passed,
c 681. a 684, c 689
City Messenger —
Additional room assigned, a 5' 7
Music stands placed in charge of, c 561, a 562
$52.75 authorized for help, c 741, a 747
City Officers (elected or appointed) —
City Clerk, 5
Mayor's Clerk, a 11
Weighers of Coal, a 11, 99, 133, 153, 273, 347, 3)6, 385, 404, 447
464, 176, 509, 562, 02S
Assistant City Clerk, a 12
Trustees City Hospital, c 28, a 32, 244, c 257
Directors Public Institutions, c 28, a 33, 193, c 198, a 206,
c 218, a 226, c 2o5, a 243
Trustees Mt. Hope Cemetery, c 29, a 33, 226, c 235
Members Cochituate Water Board, c 29, a 33, c 37, a 44, 67,
c 70, a 80, c 86
Directors East Boston Ferries, c 29, a 67, 179, c 198, a 206, 244.
c 257, a 262
Trustees Public Library, c 29, a 32, 227, c 235, a 632, c 671
Surveyors of Marble, a 59
Superintendent of Lamps, a 59
Inspectors of Petroleum and Coal Oil, a 59
Registrar of Voters, a 59
Inspectors of Provisions, a 59, 206, 336
Measurer of Grain, a 59
Superintendent of Faneuil Hall, a 59
Superintendent of F'a^euil-Hall Market, a 59; deputy author-
ized, a Ml
Inspector of Milk, a 59
Superintendent of Pawnbrokers, a 59
Superintendent of Hacks, a 59
Superintendent of Trucks, a 59
Superintendent of Intelligence Offices, a 59
Superintendents of Bridges, a 67, c 71
Superintendent of Public Grounds, a 67, c 71
City Architect, a 67, c 71
Superintendent of Sewers, a 67, c 71
Assessors of Taxes, a 67, c 71
Superintendent of Public Buildings, a 67, c 71
City Messenger, a 67, c 71; assistants, a 194, c 198
Clerk of Committees, a 67, c 71
Superintendent of Streets, a 67, c 71
Superintendent of Public Lands, a 67, c 71
City Surveyor, a 67, c 71
City Engineer, a 67, c 71
City Solicitor, a 67, c 71
Water Registrar, a 67, c 71
Measurers of Wood and Bark, a 76, 206, 385, 404, 476
Inspectors and Weighers of Bundle Hay, a 76, 99, 293, 310, 336,
385
Public Weighers, a 76, 99, 206, 648, 701
Superintendent of Hay Scales, a 76, 99
Overseers of Poor, a 80, c 86, a 650, c 672
Harbor Master, a 100, c 103
First Assistant Assessors, a 1C3, c 168, a 176, c 185, a 193, 210,
c218
Inspectors of Ballast, a 137
Inspector of Lime, a 138, c 140
Culler of Hoops and Staves, a 138, e 140
Field Drivers and Pound Keepers, a 138, c 140
F'ence Viewers, a 138, c 140 ; resignation, a 178 ; a 481, c 499
Inspectors of Lighters, c 150
Commissioner for Cedar Grove Cemetery, a 159, c 188
Co nmissioner of Sinking F'und, a 180, c 198
Second Assistant Assessors, a 2u9, c 219, a 226, c 235, a 243
Commissioner of West Boston and Cragie's bridges, a 206
Sealer of Weights and Measures, a 225
Member of Board of Health, a 243, c 258
Fire Commissioner, a 243, c 258, a 406
Measurers of Upper Leather, a 225, 243, 648
License Commissioners, a 303, c 303
Fence viewer and pound-keeper, a 313, c 314
Auditor of Accounts, a 325, c 3-i0
Commissioner Prison-Point Bridge, a 325, c 330
Surveyor of Marble, 347
City Treasurer, c 373, a 386
VI
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
city Collector, c878, a 386
Assistant Clerk of Committees, c 168, a 4G4
Boston Water Board, <• 140, 468, a 166
Special Inspectors of Elections, a 628, 550, 562, 571
Ward officers, a 62 I, 571
City Registrar's Department —
Reports from last City Council referred, a 26, c 28; reports ac-
cepted.a 169, c 164
Quarterly report of City Registrar, a 62, a 262, a 476, a 603
Co (miration from Citj Registrar, and disouseion, a 176
Order to reduce salary, a 178; discussed and referred, a 193,
c 198
Order for connecting with Hoard of Health discussed and re-
jected, a 181
Order relating to report from Registrar rejected, a 250
Balloting for Registrar, a 162, a 1 <;5 : laid on table, a 178; re-
fusal to take up, a 193 250, 312, 325 ; ballot, a 466 ; refusal
to take up, a 467, 491
Annual report, a 485
City Scales —
Quarterly report North Seales, a 62, a 262, a 468
City Solicitor — see Law Department.
City Surveyor —
Annual report, a 24, c 28
Authorized to purchase supplies, etc., c 37, a 44
Claims —
Order passed to petition for act authorizing judges to refer
claims to experts, a 14, c 16
Unfinished business of Church, Suffolk and Northampton-st.
Districts referred to Committee on Claims, a 25, c 28
Payments of executions or judgments of Courts authorized,
a 34, c 50
Report of executions for Parker-Hill Reservoir land, order
passed, c 37, a 44 ; explanation, a 67
Sundry bills presented for authority to pay, c 39, 50, a 59, 117 ;
c 166, a 194, c 222, 259, 331, a 336, 393, c. 417, a 471, a 491,
c 499 502, c 534, a 535, 575, c 581 a 654, c 672, c 741, a 747
Report on petition of Stephen II. Tarbell, a 66; recommitted,
a 76, c 86
Report accepted, leave to withdraw, Charlestown Insurance
policy, c 75, a 76
Notice of claim to portion of sidewalk, Winter St., a 76
Lost coupon, Bank of France, c 98, 104, a 115
Lost coupons, Thomas B. Harris, a 115, c 166
Deed to Edward Page authorized, c 130 a 134
Lost coupons, Marlborough Savings Bank, a 159, c 164, 188
Report on claim of Caroline Price, a 179 ; discussion, order re-
jected, a 191; reconsideration, a 217 ; discussion, laid on
table, a 229; recommittal, a 246, c 255 i; discussion, a 295 ;
order rejected, a 323 ; petition to waive, a 359 ; order offered,
a 372, laid on table, a 385 ; discussion, order rejected, a 451
Standard Laundry Machine Co., report, a 179; laid on table,
a 193 ; discussed and recommitted, with instructions to re-
fer to expert, a 215 ; amended, c 218, -38, a 243 ; report, or-
d>r passed to pay $900, a 588 ; discussed, c 597 ; passed, c
626
Receivers of Mass. Mutual Fire Ins. Co., authorized to pay divi-
dends, a 410, c 416
Notice from City Solicitor, of mandamus to take lands in
Northampton-street District, referred, a 603, c 615 ; report,
orders passed, a 651. c 656
Reconveyance to Lydia Y. Pierce, c 643, a 650
Limitation of time for presentation of claims, a 653, c 656 ;
order passed, c 742, a 747
Clark, Alderman —
Elected chairman, 1 ; address, 1
Remarks on reduction of Commissions, 15
The Salary Bill, 82, 183, 279, 301, 341
Congress-street Widening, 116, 227
Transfer of registration to Board of Health, 181
Public Library Building, 196
Widening Portland St., 212, 252
Old State House, 232, 388
Appropriation Bill, 244
Revision of laws and ordinances, 338
Regulation of cars on circuit, 352, 370
Public Parks, 414, 426
Widening South street, 484
Proposed Public Square in Brighton, 589
Soup for the poor, 663
Response to vote of thanks, 750
Clarke, Ward 22 — remarks —
Square on Commonwealth avenue, 72
Division of Ward 22, 98, 111, 132
On Boston Water Board, 122, 167
Appropriation Bill, 199, '241
Election of Second Assistant Assessors, 2.0
Salary Bill, 270
Badges, 806
License commissioners. 285
Portland-st. Widening, 286
Vegetable Market, 332
Personal Explanation, 334
Old State House, 403
Horse and vehicle for City Architect, 395
Pay of city laborers, 399
Improved Sewerage, 3»0, 436
Public Parks, 443, 540
Preservation of Paintings in Faneuil Hall. 416, 582_, 599
Boundary Line between Boston and Somerville, 457
Excursion to Sudbury river, 505, 533
Fire Commissioner, 542
Tax Titles, 581
Back Bay Improvement, 597
Standard Laundry Machine Co. 's claim, 598
Sinking Funds, 616
Reduction of Water Kates, 636
Association for Protection of Destitute Catholic Children, 643
Protection of laborers on city work, 614, 707
Mode of decorating seats of deceased members, 646
Sale of Cooper-et. Armory, 671
Bwett street, 672
Assessors' plans of estates, 079, 705.
Safety of public balls, etc., 680
Revised Ordinances, 689
Historic points, 692
Right to sound false fire alarms, 699
New city Charter, 712
Sidewalk dealers in fruits, etc., 733. 742
Additional polling place in Ward 24, 732
City Hospital Report, 733
Clocks —
On B. Y. M. C. U. building authorized, a 180, c 198
Old South, referred, a 336, e 342
On Metropolitan R. station, l'ynchon St., authorized, a 728, c
732
Collector's Department —
Order offered relating to fees to Collectors prior to Sept. 1, 1875,
c 9 ; indefinitely postuoned, c 264
Expediency of making Clerk E B. Ferries a Deputy Collector,
a 77, c 86
To notify change of ownership of property, a 250, c 255
Annual report, c 318
Report on examination of accounts, c 401
Extra pay for clerks, a 703, c 705
Committees — [see pocket edition of Organization of City Govern-
ment.]
Committee on Accounts elected, a 1, c 7; organized, a 15,
c 19
Committee on Finance elected, c 7 ; organized, c 19
Resolves relating to appointments on committees discussed and
passed, c 3
Resolve to dispense with Nominating Committees discussed,
passed, reconsidered and rejected, c 7
Nominating Committees appointed, c 9, a 12 ; c 30, a 33, 101
Reports of Nominating Committees, c 19, a 23 ; c 29, a 32 ; c 37,
a 44 ; a 46 ; c 58, a 59, 67 ; c 75, a 79 ; c 98, a 100, 101 ; c
121, 130, a 137, 138, 139, 159; c 165, a 179,180; c 185, 188,
a 209, 210 ; c 224, a 227 ; c 242
Report nominating Directors E. B. Ferries recommitted, a 32,
c 37 ; report, c 37, a 44
Standing Committee appointed, a 11, c 16
Special Committees appointed, namely : —
Rules and orders Board Aldermen, 1
Joint rules and orders, a 1, c 5
Disposal of Topics in Mayor's Address, c 3, a 12
City Charter, a 13
Army and Navy Monument, a 13
Improved Sewerage, a 13
Sending works of art to Centennial Exposition, a 14
Statue of Josiah Quincy, a 14
Manner of celebrating 17th March and 4th July, a 14
State Aid, a 14
To examine accounts of Franklin Fund, a 25
Sale of Baggage, a 32
Protection of works of art owned by city, a 46, c 50
Investigation of charges of bribery and corruption, c 68
Equalization of Salaries, c 130, a 137 ; a 183, c 185
Auditor's Estimates, a 134
Transfer of almshouses to Overseers Poor, c. 188, a 193
Funeral of Thomas J. Fitzpatrick, 190
Excursion of members of Common Council, c 463
Evening concerts, c 334. a 337
Public Parks, c 626, a 632
Election returns, a 588, a 688
Commemoration of historic sites, c 643, a 650
Common and Public Grounds —
Square on Commonwealth ave., a 46, c 71,92; recommitted,
c 111, a 115; report, order passed, a 108, c 188, 198, a 206
Committee authorized to confer in relation to square on Back
Bay, a 66, c 70
Madison sq., discussion, c 314 ; order passed, c 334
Order passed for protection of Public Garden, a 110
$1,000 for water and watering, a 2i,0. c 255
$ 1.000 for manure, a 250, c 255
$5,000 for red gravel, a 250, c 255
$900 for care of grounds and trees, a 250, c 255
$1,500 for loam, a 250, c 255
$1,650 for care of Blackstone, Franklin, Worcester and Lowell
squares, and Union park, a 250, c 255
$1,500 for team work, a 250, c 255
$1,500 for sods, a 250, c 255
$500 for tools and repairs, a 250, c 255
$1,000 for trees and shrubs, a 250. c 256
$10,000 for labor, etc., a 250, c 255
$2,000 for Bromley park, a 313, c 334
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OE CITY COUNCIL.
VII
$3,500 for Madison square, a 313, c 334
$3,000 for square on Commonwealth ave.. a 313, c 314, 334,
a 337
$10.000 for labor, a 3G7, c 395
$13,(10(1 for plants, a 307, c 395
$l,()ii(i for squares in Brighton, a 367, c 395
$650 for cesspools, c 440, a 449
§1,000 for squares in Dorchester District, c 440, a 449
$300 for trees ami shrubs, e 440, a 449
$1,200 for Charles-st. mall, c 440, a 449
$1,000 for team work, a 410. c 415
$200 for manure, a 410. c 415
$2oo for trees and shrubs, a 410. c415
$l,5oo for fences and fountains, a 4lo, 415, c 445
§260 for sods, c 475, a 177
$2,500 for fountain, Independence sq., c 475, a 477
$1,000 for team work, e 475, a 477
$05o for square on Commonwealth ave , c 475, a 477
$150 for Madison square, c 475, a 477
$150 for repairing fences and fountains, c 475, a 477
$10,000 for labor, a 528, c 530
$6,700 for squares on Commonwealth ave , a 528, c 530
$loo for water and watering streets, a 528
$150 for tools and repairs, a 528, c 530
. $927 for parade ground, a 928, c 530
$500 for fences and fountains, a 628, c 530
$408 for Charles-st. mall, a 52S, e 530
$800 for red gravel, a 528, c 530
$500 for Bromley park, a 528, c 530
$1,000 for watering streets, c 530
Expediency of purchasing land between Chestnut-Hill ave. and
liockland st. referred, e 554, a 602 : report, referred, a 589,
c 597 ; report, inexpedient, accepted, c 741, a 747
$822.87 for Fort Hill square, a 588, C 507
$360 tnr tools and repairs of same, a 588, c 597
$553.48 b>r square in Brighton, a 588, c 597
860 for limutain basin, independence square, c 597
$300 for team-work, a 052, e 072
mo additional appropriation, a 052. 661, c 671
$179 for team-work, e 741, a 747
i 20 for fences and fountains, e 741, a 747
$667.60 lor labor, e 741, a 747
Common Council —
Order passed excluding Strangers from floor and ante-room, 22;
new order, laid on table, 98; indefinitely postponed, 264
Committee to investigate charges of bribery ami corruption,
68; instructed, 97 ; phonographic report authorized, 98;
report in part, order passed for arrest of E. D. Whitcomb,
124 ; bis arraignment and committal, 1 40 ; special meeting,
communication from City Messenger, 151 : petition for com-
pensation referred, c 223, a 220; report of special commit-
tee accepted, C 242; claim of Alt-. Whitcomb settled, c 259,
a 201
Resignation of Stephen Q. Jones accepted, c 188, a 193
Resolutions and order on death of Thomas ,1. 1'itzpatrick, c 190 ;
notice of vacancy, c 242; qualification of James W. Fox,
c225
Expediency of lighting by electricity referred, c 224, a 226;
report, c 420 ; order laid on table, c 445; indefinitely post-
poned, e 742
Qualification of Franklin Reed, 235
Council called to order, and adjourned by President for want of
quorum, 247 ; record criticised, 255
Discussion on excursion, c 320
Adjournment for two weeks, c 505, 549
No meeting for want id' quorum, e 571
Election of President pro tern., 581
Resolutions passed relating to death of E. 0. Kingsbury, c 627
Order passed to change mode of decorating seats of deceased
members, Gi5; reconsideration, laid ou table, 660
Contingent Expenses —
Of Hoard of Aldermen : Chairman authorized to approve bills
14
Of Common Council ; additional appropriation, c 19, 28, a 32 ;
order offered authorizing President to approve bills, 8 ; re-
jected, 22: similar order discussed, and indefinitely post-
poned, c 39; reconsideration, substitute discussed aud
adopted, order passed, c 57
County of Suffolk —
Order passed to consider expediency of consolidating courts, a
14; report, orders passed, a 76 ; laid on table, c 86; indef-
initely postponed, c 346
Order passed for revision of jury-list, a 25
Jail expenses : for Jan. .33; Feb., 115; March, 193; April, 249;
May, 312; June. 301; July, 408; August, 488; September,
535; October, 572; November, 051 ; December, 724
Orders relating to repairs and furniture for county buildings
a 45,59
District Courts, Chairman and Committee authorized to act for
County Commissioners, a 101
Stable authorized, a l95„c 222
Inspection of prisons, committee, a 367 ; report, referred, a 406
Apportionment of representatives, a 432; report, 450 ; order
passed, 468
Expediency of appointing Coroner, a. 469 ; discussion, amen. led
order passed, c 499, a 5U6 ; report, order passed, a 727, c 732,
a 747
Indices of Suffolk Deeds, authorized, a 731
Crocker, Ward 9 — remarks :
Appointments on committees, 4
Dispensing with Nominating Committees, 8
Retrenchment in salaries and expenditures, 9, 20
Adjustment of damages to estates, bj experts, 10
Abolishing department water accounts, 21
Investigation of removal of certain buildings, 30
Authorization of sundry bills, 39
Expenses of committees, 40, 07
Mystic Valley Sewer, 54
Referring ordinance relating to taxes, 70
Salaries of city officers so, 221, 208, 316
Boston Water Board, 02, 111, 121
Inspectors of Elections, 94
Vegetable Market Investigation, 125, 143, 223
! mi-ion of Wan! 22, 132
M ard 12 contested election, 144, 169
Investigation of Dorchester Lock-up, 185
Remitting Mereantile-wharf Assessment, 189
Appropriation Rill, 200
Congress-street Widening, 236
Awnings and Snide Frames, 238
License Commissioners, Us;;
Chestnut-Hill Reser\ oir, 319
Vegetable Market, 333
Preservation of portraits in Faneuil Hall, 599
Sinking Funds, 015, 7JU
Public Parks, 620
Care of Almshouses. 642
Protection of laborers on city work. 644, 6G0. 076, 69 i, 707
Fast driving, 057
Employment of poor citizens, 682
Revised Ordinances. 689
New City Charter, 094, 709
Right to sound false tire alarms, 699, 717
Sidewalk dealers in fruits, etc., 731, 741
Historic places, 7oS
Thanks to the President, 744
Curtis, Ward 23 — remarks ;
Vegetable .Market, 331
Public Parks, 620
Gushing, Ward 10 — remarks:
School-house for Washington Village, 415, 415
I leston Sq. school-house, 610
t are of Almshouses, 64l
Day, Ward 3 — remarks :
Mystic Valley Sewer, 53
l'ay of city laborers, 400
Devereux, Ward 4 — remarks :
On expenses of committees, 39
Abolishing office of Harbor Master, c 50
Mystic Valley Sewer, 52. 291, 582 '
Investigation of charges of briberv and corruption, 69, 113,
151,223
Inspectors of Elections, 94
Salaries of city officers, 108, 266, 384
Boston Water Board, 122
Ward 12 contested election, 144, 171
Portland-street Widening, 256
Fire Department, expense for water, 265
Vegetable Market, 330
Improved Sewerage, 376, 437
Old State House, 382
School-house for Washington Village, 415, 445
Preservation of Paintings in Faneuil Hall, 415, 583, 599
Boston Water Hoard, 419, 439, 468
School committee rooms, 435
Boundary line between Boston and Somerville, 457
Truant School, 460
VVinthrop Railroad, 462
Fire Commissioner, 473, 505, 530, 540
Coroner for County of Suffolk, 409, 732
Widening South st.,501
Fglestou-sq school-house lot, 502, 516
Visit to Sudbury river, 515
Vacation for firemen, 518
Expenditures for Common and Squares, 5S0
Facilities for city employes to vote, 554
Standard Laundry Machine Co. 's Claim, 598
Truant and Vagrant Home, 598
Death of E. C. Kingsbury, 627
Transfer of appropriation to Fire-Alarm Telegraph, 671
Assessors' plans of estates, 679
Revised Ordinances, 691
Historic points, 691
Right to sound false fire alarms, 699
Elections —
State request for return of voters, a 44, c 71 ; return, a 62
Order relating to ward officers — see City Charter
Warrants issued for State election, a 553
Facilities for city employes to vote, c 554, a 562
Printed lists of voters, order rejected, a 565
Reports of returns, a 603 ; resolve aud order passed, a 604
City Solicitor's opinion requested on amending returns of ward
officers, a 604 ; received, 608
VIII
INDKX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
Hearing on election of Representative t.. Congress bom Third
DlMtrict. discussion, o der pass d, ii iio7
Pinal report of State election returns, a 012
Elections, Municipal —
Petition of John T. Casey for scat of George A. Shaw, 6;
phonographic report authorized, a 104, a 116; reports,
c 127: discussion, majority report accepted, 144; recon-
sideration discussed and rejected, 168
Reports of recounts of rotes, o 6, is, :so
Warrant for special election, Ward 4. a 218; Ward 13, a 244
Warrant for Municipal election, a 632 J report ou returns, a
702, 72( i
Time tor city employee to vote, o '179, a 083
Evacuation Day — sue Centennial Celebrations.
Kelt, Ward 17 — remarks :
Widening South St., 461. 500
Charles ■ ' . Prescott as Fire I lommissioner, 4V4
Egleston-sq school-house lot, 508, 517
Extetisi if Fairfield st , 516
hack Bay Improvement, a l J7
Swett St., (174
Ferries —
Directors authorized to sell the John Adams, a 117, c 121
Annual report, a 813
Annual report, a 813; referred, C 885, a 330; report, recommit-
tal to directors, a 317 ; report, a 725
Order passed to examine system of keeping accounts, c 305, a
366; report, a 5u8 ; discussion, two orders passed and one
rejected, a 555 ; laid ou table, a 502; discussion, orders
passed, a 691 ; report, a 720, c 732
Free Ferries .July 4, a 393, c 395
Investigation of disaster, e 534, a 535 ; report, c 644, a 650
Fire Department —
Report of tires and alarms for Dec, 1875, a 12 ; Jan. 1876, c 73;
Feb.,c 188; March, a 228 ; April, a 275 ; May, 340; June,
432; July, 470; August, c 502; September, c 551; Oct. c
600 ; Nov. c 676
Communication relating to telegraph wires referred , a 44 ; re-
port, order passed, a 77, c 80
Resolve passed relating to sale of Fireworks, a 05, c 70
Report on expense for water, and discussion, c 205 ; report no
action necessary, a 274
$200 to David L. Adamson authorized, a 322
Compensation to Daniel D. Thompson, referred, c 292
Resignation of Timothy T. Sawyer, c 472
Discussion on election of Charles J. Prescott as Commissioner,
rejection, c 474
Third annual report of Commissioners, 477
Nomination of Aaron II. Bean, a 470 ; discussion, order offered,
laid on table, a 493 ; nomination withdrawn, a 500
Resignation ot Alfred P. Rockwell, a 506, c 515
Pay of deceased firemen referred, a 493, c 499; report, order
passed, a 652, c 656
Nomination of Greely S. Curtis and Charles II. Allen, specially
assigned, a 509; discussion and nominations confirmed, a
525; discussion, c 530, 540; nominations confirmed, c
549
Discussion on vacation, order referred, c 518, a 523; report,
resolve rejected, a 573
Badges for firemen, referred, c 534, a 535 ; report, order rejected,
a 573
$200 to Charles P. Cottle, referred, c 501, a 562; report, order
passed, a 573, c 582
Extension of File Alarm Telegraph, referred, a 573 ; report, a
652, order passed, a 661, c 671
Communication from Fire Commissioners on right to sound
false alarms, referred, c 098; report, discussion, resolu-
tion passed, c 710
Telegraph poles in Brighton District, referred, a 701 ; report,
order passed, it 725
Firth, Ward 10 — remarks:
Dispensing with Nominating Committees, 7
Salaries of city officers, 90, 105, 130, 200, 304, 318
Division of Ward 22, 132
Ward 12 contested election, 146
Appropriation Bill, 201
The contempt case, 223
Haymarket-square Urinal, 242
License Commissioners, 285
Portland-st. Widening, 288
Fourth of July, 308
Pay of city laborers, 396
Boston Water Board, 440
Public Parks, 444, 620
Winthrop Railroad, 402
Widening South St., 501
Election of Leonard R. Cutter, 521
Excursion to Sudbury river, 533
Fire Commissioner, 547
Ward-room for Ward 10, 534
East Boston Ferries, 559
Preservation of paintings in Faneuil Hall, 582
Care of Almshouses, 638, 600, 705, 719, 734
Right to sound false lire alarms, 098, 718
Treatment of paupers, 700
Protection of laborers on city work, 708
Flynn, Ward 13 — remarks :
Refusal to serve as appointed on committees, 17
Authorization ot sundry hill-, 39
Expenses ot commit tees, 1", 57
Investigation id' charges of bribery and corruption, 08, 140, 151
Salaries of city officers, 88, 106. 120, 221, 240, 270, 310, 341 304,
384
Inspectors (4' Elections, 97
Exclusion of Visitors from ante-room, 98
Ward 12 contested election, 144
Appropriation Bill, 187, 208, 211
Remitting Mercantile-wharf assessment , 189
Death ol Thomas J. Kitzpatrick , 190
Classification ot City employes, 206
Congress-street Widening, 218, 235, 258
Fourth July, 289, 807
V. getable Market, 888
Old state Rouse, 866, 403
Horse and vehicle tor City Architect, 395
Pay of citj laborers, 399
Boston Water Board, 440
Widening South st , 501
Legality of election id' Leonard R. Cutter, 519
Excursion to Sudbury river, 683
Facilities for city employes 'o vote, 554
Back Bay Improvement, 597
Preservation of portraits in Faneuil Mall, 599
Care of Almshouses, 639
Commemoration of historic points, 043. 692
Protection of laborers on citv work, 645
Mode of decorating seats of deceased members, 046
Fast driving, 057
Swett St., 658
License Commissioners. 659
Safety of public halls, etc., 080
Historic places. 692
Street venders of fruits, etc., 741
Thanks to the president, 742
Fourth ot July — see Centennial Celebrations —
F'ox, Mr., Ward 13 — remarks :
Salary Bill, 317, 344
Pay of city laborers, 398
License Commissioners, 418
South-st. Widening, 401
Legality of election of Leonard R. Cutter 519
Fire Commissioner, 543
Public Parks, 621
License Commissioners, 059
Right to sound false fire alarms, 698, 716
Fraser, Ward — remarks:
On First Assistant Assessors, 1G9
Chestnut-Hill Reservoir, 319
Pay of city laborers, 399
Funds — see also Sinking Funds —
Franklin Fund, report, a 34
application of Edwin S. Fraser, referred, a 406 ; granted,
a 432
application of R. A. Elder, referred, a 483: granted, a 492
Dorchester Trust Founds, bond of indemnity authorized, a 492,
c499
G. A. R.—
Invitations accepted for Memorial Day, a 115, 213, c 218, a 249
c 255
5*200 to each Post for Decoration Day, c 222, a 526
Gas —
Report of Gas Commission, a 571
Order relating to State Board of Gas Commissioners, a 635;
laid on table, a 619 : discussion, reference to next city
government, a 065, c 071
Gragg, Ward 22 — remarks :
Appointments ou committees, 3
Reduction of salaries and expenditures, 19
The department estimates, 22
Mystic Valley Sewer, 56
Salaries of city officers, 107, 240
Division of Ward 22, 111, 132, 150
Appropriation Bill, 203, 241
Election of Second Assistant Assessors, 220
Salary Bill, 240
Old State House, 383
Public Parks, 443,624
Preservation of portraits in Faneuil Hall, 599
Historic points, 691
Right to sound false fire alarms, 699
Gray, VV'ard 14 — remarks :
Dispensing with Nominating Committees. 8
Retrenchment in salaries and expenditures, 8, 19
Adjustment of damages to estates, by experts, 16
Abolishing department water accounts, 21
Expenses of committees and members, 22, 39, 57
Mystic Valley Sewer, 55
Referring ordinance relating to taxes, 70
Square on Commonwealth avenue, 72
Salaries of city officers, 88, 100, 180, 221, 207, 288, 304
Election of Harbor Master, 103
Boston Water Board 122, 166
Division of Ward 22, 132
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
IX
Appropriation Bill, 180, 200, 222, 241
Remitting Mercantile-wharf assessment, 189
Classification of city employes, 205
The contempt case ,223
Hay market -square Urinal, 242
License Commissioners, 283
Fourth of July, 291
Improved Sewerage, 302, 380
Personal explanation, 445
Vacation for firemen, 518
Guild, Ward 9 — remarks :
Appointments on committees, 3
Retrenchment in salaries and expenditures, 8
Ou refusals to serve on committees, 17
Urinals on the Public (Jarden, 28
Petition of heirs of Warren Fisher, 29, 97, 131
Mystic Valley Sewer, 55
Investigation of charges of bribery and corruption, 09, 97, 126
223
Square on Commonwealth avenue, 72, 111
Salaries of city officers, 89, 109, 272
Ward 12 contested election, 170
Badges, 806
Fourth of July, 290, 307
Madison square, 314
Excursion, 820
Impioved Sewerage, 375
Old State House, 383, 403
Boston Water Hoard, 419, 439, 458
Public Parks, 441, 540, 601, 016
Fourth of July oration, 420
Soutli-st. Widening, 401
Wintlirop Railroad, 402
Fire Commi-siouer, 605, Bt5
Flection of Leonard R Cutter, 521
Facilities for city employes to vote, 554
Protection of laborers on city work, 045
Mode of decorating seats of deceased members, 046
Additional appropriation for Common, 071
Report of votes for ineligible persons, 072
Right to sound false fire alarms, 719
Thanks to the President, 742
Ham, Ward 14 — remarks :
Congress-st. Widening, 219
Swett St., 674
Harbor —
Expediency of transferring Harbor Master's duties to Police,
a 45, c 50 ; report, inexpedient, accepted, a 78, c 80
F'ort Point channel, order of inquiry passed, c 340, a 347
Expediency of better facilities for Harbor Master, referred,
c 044 ; a 650 ; report inexpedient, c 741, a 747
Health, Board of —
Order passed relating to Urinals in streets, a 20, c 28
Order passed relating to Urinals on Public Garden, a 26;
amended and passed, c 28, a 32
Order of inquiry offered relating to removal of buildings, c 30;
referred, c 200 ; tabled, a 201 ; passed, a 299 ; report a 325,
c330
Report accepted, leave to withdraw, on Cancer hospital, a 211
Report accepted, leave to withdraw, on Haymarket sq. Urinal,
a 228, c 242; reconsideration discussed and refused, c 242
Lying-in hospitals, permits refused, a 360, 432, 465, 468, 476, 552 ;
permits granted, a 450 ; petition recommitted, a 405 ; leave
to withdraw, 052
Hospital lands surrendered, a 476
Fourth annual report, a 497
Request for permission to erect urinals, referred, a 493
Hospital for nervous patients, report accepted, leave to with-
draw, a 537
St. Luke's Home, hospital authorized, a 702
Health Department —
Superintendent authorized to contract for supplies, etc., a 25,
c 37
Inspection of provisions and animals, act accepted, a 325, c 330
Order passed relating to sale of offal, a 729, c 732 ; report of
receipts, a 747
Highland Railway Co. —
Hearing, Blue-hill ave., 336
Right granted to connect on Blue-hill ave., a 355; additional
location granted, a 466
Locations accepted, a 488
Petition for track in Columbus ave., referred, a 628 ; report,
a 651 ; referred to next Board of Aldermen, a 701
Historic Sites —
Location of Star Fort, referred, c 561, a 502; report, special
committee on expediency of commemorating several points,
c 043. a 650; report, c 678; order passed, c691; recon-
sideration, amended order passed, c 737, a 747
Howes, Ward 18 — remarks:
Appointments on committees, 3
Dispensing with Nominating Committees, 7
Reduction of salaries and expenditures, 19
Abolishing department water accounts, 21, 265
Exclusion of strangers from Council floor, 22
Expenses of committees, 40
Salaries of city officers, 87, 104, 126, 130, 186,220, 240, 267, 304
316
Election of Harbor Master, 103
Vegetable Market Investigation, 125
City Registrar's Department, 165
Ward l£, contested election, 170
Badges, 132, 305
Appropriation Bill, 199, 218, 242
Classification of city employes, 205, 222
Haymarket-sq. Urinal, 242
Fourth of July, 289, 308
Mystic-Valley -ewer, 292
Vegetable Market, 331
Old State House, 3S3
Pay of city laborers, 397
Preservation of Paintings in Faneuil Hall, 415, 685
School Committee rooms, 435
Boston Water Board, 439
Public Parks, 441, 623
Fire Commissioner, 474, 531 , 544
Coroner for County of Suffolk, 499, 732
Widening South street, 601
Vacation for firemen, 519
Legality of election of Leonard R. Cutter, 522
Duplicate names of streets, 002, 027
Care of Almshouses, 042
Protection of laborers on city work. 045
Limitation of time lor presenting claims, 053
Licence Commissioners, 659
Safety of public halls, etc., 680
Employment of po r citizens, 682
Historic poi fs, 691
New City Charter, 694, 711
Kight to sound false fire alarms, 718
T.ianks to the president, 744
Hull, Alderman — remarks .
On reduction of city valuation, 48
The Salary Bill, 84, 300, 341
Congress-street Widening, 116
Standard Laundry Machine Company's claim, 215
Repaving Water St., Charlestown, 226
Widening Portland st., 253
Reconstruction of Chelsea bridge, 329
Regulation of cars on the circuit, 371
Pay of city laborers, 434
Vegetable Market, 452
Boundary lines between Boston and Somerville, 465
Projecting steps in Charlestown, 578
Removal of obstructions from sidewalks, 590
Sinking Fund Act, 606
Election of Overseer of Poor, 650
Limitation of time for presentation of claims. 654
Soup for the poor. 665
Inspection of Buildings -
Inspectors of Elections -
-see Buildings.
see City Charter ; also City Officers, etc.
Jaques, Ward 11 — remarks:
Appointments on committees, 3
Dispensing with Nominating Committees, 8
Retrenchment in salaries and expenditures, 8
Abolishing department water accounts, 21
The department estimates, 22
Investigation of removal of certain buildings, 30
Expenses of committees, 40, 57
Square on Columbus avenue, 50, 71, 111
Mystic-Valley Sewer, 54
Salaries of citv officers, 88, 104, 126, 130, 221, 239, 265, 304, 310,
342, 364, '384
Inspectors of Elections, 93
Division of Ward 22, 132
Ward 12 contested election, 146
Badges, 132, 306
Investigation of charges of bribery, 151
Appropriation Bill, 188, 203, 240
Congress-st. Widening, 237
Awnings and shade frames, 238
License Commissioners, 285
Portland-st. Widening, 286
Fourth July, 289, 308
Madison square, 314
Vegetable Market, 331
Improved Sewerage, 362, 377, 436
Excursion, 320
Old State House, 365, 382
Boston Water Board, 440
Public Parks, 441, 601, 616
Vacation for firemen, 519
Legality of election of Leonard R. Cutter, 520
Fire Commissioner, 532, 541
Facilities for city employes to vote, 554
East Boston Ferries, 556
Preservation of paintings in Faneuil Hall, 583, 599
Sinking Funds, 010, 740
Swett St., 057, 672
Liceuse Commissioners, 658
Safety of public halls, etc., 680
New City Charter, 693, 711
Protection of laborers on city work, 697, 707
Right to sound false fire alarms, 698, 718
X
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF (MTV COI NCIL.
Jones, Ward 4 — remarks ;
\i\ stic \ alley Sewer, 65
Kellej , Ward 3 — remarks :
Mj -i ic-Vnlley cewei
Salaries of cit) officers, '.'I
Election of Second Assistant Assessors, 219
improved Sewerage, 880
Pa - of cil ^ laborers, 397
Boston Water Board, 119
Truant School
Kingsbury , Ward 19 —
(in First Assistant Assessors, 169
Madison square, 315
Lamp Department —
Annua] report of Superintendent, a 12
Supt. authorized to purchase supplies, etc. .and employ men,
a 26
Enlargement of stable authorized, a 213
Report 'in petitions received during (he year, a 720
Law Department —
Annual report of City Solicitor, a 13
Semi-annual report of City Solicitor, a 406
Payment of expenses of litigation resulting from great fire
authorized, a 73l), c 732
City Solicitor authorized to defend power of Board of Aldermen
to license street venders of fruit, etc., C 742. a 747
Laws and Ordinances —
Expediency of revised edition referred, n 195, c 198; report
referred to Committee on Finance, a 838, o 342; report,
order passed, a 360, c 332 ; printing authorized, a 410, c 415
Report of revised ordinances, a 663; ordinance establishing
same passed, a 083 ; discussion, c 68!) ; Ordinance passed.
c 707
Order passed establishing revised rules and regulations of Hoard
of Aldermen. 083
License Commissioners —
Annual report, a 262
Discussion, Older passed requesting nomination, a 275, c 233,
285; nomination, a 293 ; confirmation, a 308, c 308
Request for $400 for clerk-hire referred, a 468
Discussion on allowance for clerk-nire, c 0>8; order passed, c 671
Licenses —
Hearing on rights of Israelites, a 450; report, leave to with-
draw, accepted, a 466
License to kill birds, a 470
Permit to exhibit explosives, a 488
Unsafe places of amusement, order passed, a 513
Venders of fruit, etc., order pissed, a 730, c 733, 741, a 747
Lighters — see Ballast Lighters.
Loans —
$2,000,000 Temporary Loan, a 360, 363, c 395
$2,000,000 for Additional Water Supply, c 401, a 405; c 419,
445, a 449
Lying-in Hospitals — see Health, Board of
Markets —
Quarterly report of Supt. 62, 275, 468, 651
Vegetable Market investigation — see Common Council.
Sheds authorized, a 139, c 140, 190
Relinquishment of lease to Mercantile Wharf Corporation
authorized, a 327; discussed, petitions piesented, c 330, a
337; indefinitely postponed, c 446 ; discussion, order passed,
a 451
Faneuil Hall — order pissed for new stove-pipe, a 662
Mass. Catholic Total Abstinence Union —
Invitation to review accepted, a 535
May, Ward 24 — remarks ;
On expenses of committees, 39
The District Court system, 86
Inspectors of Elections, 92
Vegetable Market investigation, 97, 125, 140, 151
Salaries of city officers, 106
Ward 12 contested election, 144
Appropriation Bill, 201, 218
Improved Sewerage, 381
Egleston--quare school-house lot, 517
Mayor —
Copy of Inaugural Address requested, e 5, a 12
Disposition of topics in address referred, c 3, a 12 ; report and
reference of topics c 29, a 32
Authorized to extend civilities to strangers, a 117, c 166
Requested to petition for cannon, for statues of Hancock and
Adams, c 420, a 432
Mayor — communications from —
Relating to railroad tracks in East, Boston, a 11, 43
Relating to Yorktown Memorial : Letter from Mayor of Fred-
ericksburg, Va., c29, a 32 ; from Mayor of Richmond, Va.,
a 43 : from Mayor of Alexandria, Va., a 112, c 121
Relating to the Washington Medal, a 174, c 185; resolutions
passed, c 185, a 193
Relating to Ephraim D. Whitcomb, c 151
Relating to arms for school regiment, a 133
Transmitting report of Park Commissioners, a 248 — see Public
Parks
Withdrawing nomination of Aaron II. Bean, a 606
Nominating Qreely S. Curtis and Charles 11. Allen, a 509
Transmitting report of lias Commission, a 571, c 581
Valedictory address, a748
Metropolitan Railroad —
Petition tor trai k- on Franklin and Beach streets, etc., referred,
a 82; report, a 46; hearing, a 99; report, a 138; order
passed, a 158; location accepted, a 178
Hearing On removal of tracks in Court St., and recommittal,
298; report, 31 1 ; order passed, a 822
Fort} -second location granted, a 294 : accepted, a 310
Turn-out track on Atlantic ave., a 180
Forty-third location accepted, a 188
iiidcr passed relating to tracks in West. Qoxbury, a 528
Additional track on Dorchester avenue, a 573
Track from Bowdoin street. Ward 24, to stable, a 573
Healing on tracks on 8 iratoga St., indefinite postponement,
. r )S»;
TrtO locations granted, Oct. 30, accepted, a 586
Petition tor location in Columbus ave., ■
Middlesex It ailroa i —
Hearing on petition for tracks in Summer and Beach streets,
a 112, 153
Extension of location granted, a 393 ; accepted, a 406
Militia —
Co. (1, First Reg. Inf., 8575 for fitting and furnishing armory,
a oo
Arms for school regiment, state bond required, a 133
Massachusetts Institute Technology, drill hall, a 189, a 179
Co. D, First Regiment, 8200 for fitting up armory, a 179
Co. I . Ninth Regiment, SI, 135 for fitting up armory, a 180
Co. A, First Regiment Infantry, transfer ot armory, a 210
Order to petition relative to armories referred, a 359
Expediency of transferring Battery A, 432; report, transfer
authorized, a 40!)
Report and order for Mayor to give bond, c 435
1st Bat. Cavalry, $450 for rent of head-quarters, a 513
1st Keg Infantry, rent for head-quarters discontinued, a 575
1st Bat. Infantry, rent for head-quarters allowed, a 575
$300 for rent of armory First Brigade, a 052
$450 tor rent of armory Second Brigade, a 652
$82 for armory Co. I, Ninth Regiment Infantry, a 702
$200 for armory Co. D, First Battalion Infantry, a 702
$76 for armory Co. O, Ninth Battalion Infantry, a 702
Co C, Fourth Battalion Infantry, leave to remove to Boylston
Hall, and $800 for rent, a 702
$425 for armory Co. A, Second Brigade, a 728
Armory Co. C, Fourth Battalion Infantry, approved, a 728
Milk —
Annual report of Inspector, a 213
Minors —
Board of Aldermen authorized to make rules or grant licenses,
a 34, c 37
Rules adopted, a 45
Morrison, Ward 11 — remarks:
On Nominating Committees, 7
Investigation of removal of certain buildings, 30
Mystic Valley Sewer, 56
Investigation of charges of bribery and corruption, 69, 223
Square on Commonwealth avenue, 71, 111
Salaries of city officers, 89, 105, 2 8, 316
Repairs on Fisher avenue, 97, 131
Division of Ward 22, 111
Boston Water Board, 123
Ward 12 contested election, 171
Appropriation Bill, 186, 200, 218
Truant School Building, 190
Congress-street Widening, 219
Haymarket-square Urinal, 242
Portland-street Widening, 257
Medallions of Signers of Declaration of Independence, 259
Fire Dept.'s expense for water, c 265
License Commissioners, 284
Chestnut Hill Reservoir, 319
Excursion, 320
Old State House, 382, 403
Horse and vehicle for City Architect,' 395
School Committee Rooms, 4'j5
Boston Water Board, 439
Public Parks, 441
Truant School, 445, 458, 598
South-st. Widening, 401,602
Winthrop Railroad, 402
Fire Commissioner, 473
Coroner for County of Suffolk, 499
Proposals for city work only from legal voters, 504
Egleston-square school-house lot, 517
Vacation for firemen, 518
Expenditures for Common and Squares, 630
Duplicate names of streets, 026
Transfer of $50,000 for paving, 636
Reduction of water-rates, 636
Care of Almshouses. 640
Protection of laborers on city work, 645, 697, 708
Mode of decorating seats of deceased members, 645
Treatment of paupers, 700
Street venders of fruits, etc., 741
Municipal Reference Library — see Printing.
Municipal Register — see Printing.
Museum of F'iue Arts —
Release of laud, a 245, 248, c 255, 264
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
XI
Putting grounds in order, a 245, c 255; a 313, c 334 ; a 360,
c 3tf2, 373
Newton, Ward 21 — remarks —
Wiuthrop Railroad, 462
Northampton-street District — see Claims.
O'Brien, Alderman — remarks :
On reduction of County expenses ; 14
Reduction of Commissions, 14, 26
Report of Sealers of Weights and Measures, 25
Style of City Documents, 33
Reduction of city valuation, 35, 47
Ordinance relating to assessment of taxes, 44
Works of art for the Centennial, 59
Reduction of Assessors, 67
Congress-street Widening, 115, 227
Salaries, 81, 155, 183, 214, 274, 279, 300, 340, 3.6
Inspectors of Elections 134
Division of Ward 22, 135
City Registrar's Department, 161, 193
Boston Water Board, 175
Fitting up armories, 179
Transfer of registration to Board of Health, 181; personal
explanation, 197
Caroline Price's claim, 191, 231, 297, 360, 372, 454
Appropriation Bill, 207
Widening Portland street, 211, 251
Standard Laundry Machine Co. 's claim, 216
Square on St. James avenue, 248
License Commissioners, 275, 404
Printing Park Report, 295
Revision of laws and ordinances, 338
Regulation of cars on the circuit, 851, 369
Old State House, 390
Pay of city laborers, 405, 433
Public Parks, 411,428,632
Improved Sewerage, 424
Vegetable Market, 451
Widening South st., 485, 495
Outlets of Sewers, 490
F'ire Commissioners, 494, 509, 526
\ acation for firemen, 524
Protection of laborers on city work, 525
Uucollectable taxes, 563
Sewer in Henley street and Harvard square, 565
Projecting steps in Charlestown, 5'i7,578
Papers, etc., for members City Council, 574
Removal of obstructions from sidewalks, 690
Report of East Boston Perries, 593
Final election returns, ol3
School Committee Building, 634
Drainage of Commercial st and Atlantic ave., 635
Treatment of drunkenness at institutions, 618
Reduction of water-rates, 650
Election of Overseer of Poor, 650
Salary of License Commissioners' Clerks, 653
Fast-driving, 654
Gas Commission, 669
Work for poor citizens, 686
Armories, 702
Safety of places of amusement. 703
Protection of laborers on city work, 721
Clock on Metropolitan stable, 728
O'Donnell, Ward 7 —
On First Assistant Assessors, 168
Appropriation Bill, 241
Chestnut-Hill Reservoir, 319
Pay of city laborers, 400
Old State House — see Public Buildings.
Omnibuses —
From West Boston Bridge, allowed, a 528
Poland & Peabody'somuibus line, leave to withdraw, a 661
Ordinances — see Laws and Ordinances .
Osborne, Ward 12 — remarks :
Safety of public halls, etc., 680
Overseers of Poor —
Quarterly report, a 62, a 275, a 476, a 586
Report on Trust Funds accepted, a 65, c 70 ; a 450
Annual report, a 354
Resignation of James L. Little accepted, c 582, referred, a 586,
c 597 ; report, election of Henry L. Richards, a 650, c 656
Parks — see Public Parks.
Parker, Ward 21 — remarks :
Appointments on committees, 3
Repairs ou Fisher avenue 131
Congress-street Widening 236, 258
Portland-street Widening, 257
Badges, 305
Fourth July, 308
Protection of Chestnut-Hill Reservoir, 319
Excursion, 320
Improved Sewerage, 375
Old State House, 365, 382
Boston Water Board, 419
Egleston-square sehool-house lot, 516
Back Bay Improvement, 597
Limitation of time for presenting claims, 656
Swett St., 657
Historic points, 691
Peabody, Ward 11 — remarks :
Appointments on committees, 4
Retrenchment in salaries and expenditures, 9, 20
The department estimates, 22
Parker-Hill Reservoir land damages, 37
Expenses of committees, 41, 57
Investigation of charges of bribery and corruption, 68, 126, 143
Square on Commonwealth avenue, 72
The Sewerage System, 87
Salaries of city officers, 88, 105, 130, 267, 342
Inspectors of elections, 96
Lost coupon, Bank of France, 98
Division of Ward 22, 111
Boston Water Board, 123, 166
Ward 12 contested eleciion, 146, 171
City Registrar's Dep't., 165
Appropriation Bill, 187, 200
Remitting Mercantile-wharf assessment, 189
Congress-street Widening, 236
Portland-street Widening, 256
Vegetable Market, 333
Improved Sewerage, 379, 137
Old State House, 383
Pay of city laborers, 398
Boston Water Board, 439
Public Parks, 441, 626
Wiuthrop Railroad, 463
Coroner for County of Suffolk, 500
Egleston-square school-house lot, 502, 518
Fire Commissioner, 530, 542
Expenditures for Common and Squares, 550
Facilities for city employes to vote, 551
East Boston Ferries, 555
Elected president pro tem.. 581
Back Bay Improvement, 597
Sinking Funds, 615, 740
Protection of laborers on city work, 645, 660, 676
Swett st., 675
Lease of Mayhew School Building, 678
Assessors' plans of estates, 679, 705
Safety of public halls, etc., 680
Employment of poor citizens, 682
Revised Ordinances, 690
Night to souud false fire alarms, 699
New City Charter, 710
sidewalk dealers iu fruits, etc., 734, 742
Care of Almshouses, 735
Pierce, Ward 24 — remarks :
On expenses of committees, 42, 57
The sewerage system, 87
Salaries of city officers, 107, 221, 317
Appropriation Bill, 187, 199, 241
Haymarket square Urinal, 242
Excursion, 320
Improved Sewerage, 380
South-street widening, 502
Swett St.. 657, 673
Right to souud false fire alarms, 718
Police —
Quarterly reports of Chief, a 12,227, 447, 551
Annual report of Chief, a 13
Report relating to West Brookline street, a 79
Work for lodgers referred, c 188, a 193
Annual report of Police Charitable Fund, a 322
Orders passed relating to keeping horses, purchasing furniture
and supplies, making repairs, etc., a 489
Police itelief Association, by-laws approved, a 663
Report on use of salt on horse railroad tracks, a 729
Pope (Alderman ) remarks :
Public Library Building, 196
Clock for Young Men's Christian Union Building, 198
Salaries, 300
School-house in Dorchester-Everett District, 321
Marcella street building for Truant School, 385
Regulation of cars on circuit, 353
Vegetable Market, 452
AVidening Si uth street, 496
Proposed Public Square iu Brighton, 589
School Committee building, 634
Sale of Cooper-street Armory, 662
Pope, Ward 14 — remarks :
Transfer of $10,000 to Fire Alarm Telegraph, 671
Safety of public halls, 680
Right to sound false fire alarms, 719
Pope, Ward 15 — remarks :
School-house in Washington Village, 446
Sale of Cooper-street Armory, 671
Historic places, 738
Printing —
Annual Reports authorized in print, a 1, c 6
Municipal Register authorized, c 5, a 12
Mayor's Inaugural Address, c 5
Ml
[NDEX TO PBOCEEDINGS OF CITY COUN'CIL.
Btj la "I City So
Memorial of Evai nation Dai . ■ 180, o I
1,000 extra copies of Park Report, c 269,
Dedication of Brighton Branch Library referred, e 269, a 261
Park report, 8 I edition, authorized, a 296, c
600 Declaration ol [nde] end* nee, authorized, c 846, a 347
Law - a 1 1. 1 Ordinance*, authorized, B 410, c 416
Fifth Report of Bupl a 477
Fourth of .1 uly oration, l,<x;0 additional copies authorized, ;i
190, o 199
1,600 First Report of Record Commissioners authorized, a 529,
c580
Report "ii municipal Reference Library referred, a 5,4 : report,
a 635; ordinance passed, i : expediency of room,
reft 61, c 071
Papers, etc., for I Itj Council, order referred, ;i 574 ; report,
a 661, c ii71
1,600 additional copies Gas report, authorized, a t<6.">, c 671
ml quinquennial report of City Hospital authorized, a 729,
c ;:;.;
Binding documents and proceedings of City Council author-
ized, c 741, a 747
Public Baths —
Committee authorized to make repairs and employ assistance,
a 25, c 37
Annual report, a 7-7
Public Buildings —
Order passed to pay interest on West Roxburv engine-house
lot, c 20, a 23
Annual report of Superintendent, a 33
Supt. authorized to supply furniture, repairs, etc., c 37, a 44
Expediency of protecting Faueuil Hail, a 77
Expediency of retaining building corner of State and Congress
streets, a 78, c K ; report, inexpedient, accep'ed, a 115,
c 121 ; sale authorized, a 212 ; amendment, e 218; non-con-
currence, a 227 ; concurrence, c 237 ; reconsideration re-
jected, c 258
Old State House, report requesting instructions, referred to
Committee on Streets, a 101, c 1CS; reports, a 21b' ; order
passed, a 232; recommittal c 238, a 243; report, c 304;
discussion, orders passed, c 382, a 388
Communication from Win II. Whitmore referred,
c 364, a 366 ; report, inexpedient, accepted, c 403, a
405
Order for footwalks indefinitely postponed, c 403
Medallions of Signers of Declaration of Independence referred,
c 259, a 261
Faneuil Hall — market closed at 12 M., May 30, a 322; report on
preservation of paintings, a 312, 322 ; expediency of copies
referred, a 239, c 342; report, order passed, a 409; dis-
cussion, c.415; order rejected, reconsideration assigned, c
445: order for removal passed, a 450; orders specially as-
signed, c 401 ; discussed, c 582, 5'»9 : passed, c 5'.t9
Eastern-ave. Wharf, order passed to examine, c 403, a 405 ; re-
port, order passed to repair, c 440, a 449
Old South, petition referred, c 419, a 432
Additional accommodations for City Engineers, c 463, a 464
Unsafe public buildings, communication from Inspector re-
ferred, a 449, c 457
Additional accommodation for City Messenger, a 481
Report accepted, inexpedient, use of High-school lot for Moody
and Sankey meetings, 513
Bath-house, Cabot Street, Highlands, transferred to Com. on
Public Buildings, a 505, a.sl
Lease of May hew School building to College of Pharmacy, c 678.
a 683
Cooper-street Armory, sale authorized, a 662, c 671, 742
Faneuil Hall — application that original paintings he placed in
Old South Church, referred, e nun, a 008; report accepted.
no further action necessary, a 087, c 689
City Hall — salary of deceased engineer, a 052, c 656
Change of Department rooms, a 74S
Public Institutions —
Refunding gas-tax by U. S. referred, c 188, a 193
Transfer of almshouses to Overseers poor referred, c 188, a 193:
report, c 401 ; assigned, 602 ; rejected, c 608 ; reconsidera-
tion, e 660, 7115, 719, 721, 734: new order passed, c 737,
a 747
Annual report of Directors, a 325 ; referred, a 327, c 330
Austin Farm, request for additional appropriation referred, a
391; report, referred to Finance Committee, a 470, c 472;
report, order passed, a 477 ; ice-house, a 635, c 836
Order relating to treatment of drunkenness, a 633, 648, c 672
Treatment of paupers, communication from Uainsford Island,
c 700 ; report, c 715, a 721
Semi-annual report of inspection of prisons, a 748
Public Lands —
Annual report of Superintendent, a 24, c 28
Lot sold Michael Seaulan forfeited, a 34, c 37
Report, on petition of Geo. H Davis, order passed, a 06
Deed to First Church authorized, a 102, c 104
Committee to investigate Dorchester Lock-up, ti 180, c 185
Martin Mayes, report, order passed, a 228, c 235
Francis Raynes, report, order passed, a 228, <■ 235
William A. Guild " " a228,c235
'faxes remitted on forfeited lots, a 228, c 235
Sale of laud on Swett st. authorized, a 262, c 264
Sundry lots of laud forfeited, a 432, <• 486, a 489. c 499
Hospital lands, surrendered to Com. on Public Lauds, a 476. e
199
Reduction of rent to T. W. Carter, a 489, c 499
i authorized for improvement of Fort-hill Square, e (99
Land adjoining estate ot Sam pierce, Don he>ter, transferred
to Committee, a 666, c 681
Home for Destitute Catholic Children, a 563, 572, c 581,643,
a 650
Northampton-Street lands placed in charge of Committee on
Public bands, a 052, c 050 ; report, orders passed adjml
damages, a 12*
Release of condition to Harrison boring, a 686, e I
Release of condition on estate 72K Fast fourth st., a 6*6
Expediency ot putting lot next Mass Iloino-opathic Hospital in
order, referred, a 687, c 699
Withdrawal of surrender by Joseph Dorr granted, a 688,
741 , a 747
Forfeiture of land, 10 Indiana place, a 702, c 705
Public Grounds — see Common.
Public Library —
Accommodations for " card and catalogue room'' authorized,
C 188; discussion, order passed, a 196
Brighton Branch, printing proceedings at dedication, c 320, a
822
34th annual report of Trustees, a 477 ; referred, c 499, a
Resignation of Cieorge S. llillard, a 051, c 656
Election of George B. Chase, a 661
Additional room for South Boston Branch, referred, a 727, c 732
Public I'arks —
First report of Park Commission, a 12, 26, c 28
Petition relating to Parks and Drainage, referred, a 174
Second report of Park Commissioners referred, a 218, c 255 ;
report, a 391 ; discussion, a 41o, discussion, recommittal to
Park Commissioners, to bond hind, a 425, c 441 ; fourth
report referred, a 535; report, c 600; discussion, order for
$5,000,000 loan rejected, c 616 ; motion to reconsider laid
on table, c 626
Faneuil Hall resolutions referred, c 365
Proposed Park for Charles town, referred to Park Commissioners,
;t 406 ; report ( third ), a 527
Fourth report of Park Commissioners, a 535, c 539
Communication from the Boston Water Power Co.; referred,
a 535, c 539
Order for Special Committee, to confer with Park Commission-
ers, stated, c 023; ottered, c 625; discussed, passed, com-
mittee appointed 1 , c 026, a 6JS ; report of committee, rcfened
to next City Government, c 73s
Resignation of i'. Jefferson Coolidge. a 686, c 689
Charles S. Storrow, appointed commissioner, a 686, c 689
Quincy Statue —
Special Committee appointed, a 14
Railroads —
Order relating to fences or walls along tracks, a 635, 648, c 656
Railroad Tracks in East Boston —
Communication from Mayor, and Eastern Railroad Co., a 11 ;
also Boston, Revere Beach and L\ nn Railroad Co.,a43 : re-
port accepted, further action inexpedient, a 138
Record Commissioners —
First report, referred, a 506, c 515; report, order passed to
print, a 529, c 530 ; $250 additional, a 662, c 671
Reed, Ward 4 —
Widening Portland st.,257
Salaries of city officers, 268, 343
Fourth of July, 308
Truant School, 459
South-st. Widening, 461
Winthrop Railroad, 462
Egleston-square school-house lot, 517
Northampton-street District, 656
Swett street, 658, 676
License Commissioners, 659
Rice, Ward 22 — remarks :
On First Assistant Assessors, 169
Robbins, Ward 2 — remarks:
Mystic Valley Sewer, 55
Salaries of city officers, 90, 126, 266, 316
Congress-st Widening, 236
License Commissioners, 285
Chestnut-hill Reservoir, 320
Pay of city laborers, 4' in
Improved Sewerage, 436
Winthrop Railroad, 473
File Commissioner, 47*
Widening South street, 502
Facilities for city employes to vote, 554
East Boston Ferries, 556
Preservation of paintings in Faueuil Hall, 585, 599
Public Parks, 626
Mode of decorating seats of deceased members, 645
Fast-driving, 657
Swett street, 057, 675
Safety of Public Halls, etc., 6S1
liuftin, Ward 9 — remarks :
On Inspectors of Elections, 92
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
XIII
Salaries of city officers, 105, 269
Appropriation Bill, 186,203
License Commissioners, 284, 418
Fourth of July, 308
Improved Sewerage, 379
Boston Water Board, 440, 457
Public Parks, 441, 026
Fire Commissioner, 544
Preservation of paintings inFaneuil Hall, 585, 600
Revised ordinances, 690
New City Charter, 6U5
Protection ot laborers on city work, 697, 707
Coroner, for Suffolk, 732
Sidewalk dealers in fruits, etc., 734
Rules and Orders —
Of Aldermen — of 1875 adopted, 1; Committee, 1; report
amended rules adopted, 11.
Of Council — of 1875 adopted, 5 ; Committee. 5; report, amend-
ed rules adopted, 22
Joint — committee, a 1, c 5; of 1875 adopted, c 6, a 12 ; report,
c 6 ; order passed, c 16, a 23
Pocket edition authorized, c 5
Salaries —
Order offered relating to retrenchment in salaries, c 8 : substi
tute passed, c 19 ; amended and passed, a 23, c 28
Salary bill reported, a 62 ; discussed, substitute order passed, a
85; discussed, c 87 ; bill discussed, amended, substituted
and passed, c 103 ; reconsideration rejected, c 126 ; specially
assigned, a 137; discussed, Indefinitely postponed, a 153;
reconsideration rejected, a 183
Special Committee on equalization of salaries, c 130, a 137
Discussion and order passed for the special committee to report
salaries of Boston Water Board and Commissioners, a 183 ;
amendment rejected, a ls3 ; order passed, c 186; reports,
a 194; discussion, orders passed, a 213; discussion, c 220;
reconsideration laid on table, c 242, c 288
Expediency of classification of employe's discussed, c 205 ; re-
ferred, c 222, a 226
Order passed to report new salary bill, c 224, a 226 ; report, dis-
cussion, laid on table, c 239 ; assigned, c 260 ; discussed, c
265, passed, c 272; rejected, a 275; new order discussed,
a 278 ; reconsideration, salary bill passed, a 299 ; nou-con-
curreuce, conference, c 304, a 310 ; conference report, c
334, a 339 ; rejection, adherence, a 341 ; rejection, indefinite
postponement, c 342,346; new bill referred, c 345, a 366;
report, orders passed, c 384, a 386; indefinite postponement,
a 414
For April authorized, a 250, c 255
For May, a 312, c 816, 334
Salaries of License Commissioners, discussion, order passed, a
404 ; discussi n, indefinite po. tponement, c 417
$350 for License Commissioners' Clerks, a 653. c 658
Order passed to report on equalization of sal iries, c 682, a 683 ;
report, referred to Committee on Salaries of next City
Council, a 687, c 689
Sampson ( Alderman ) — remarks :
Salu-y Bill, 274
Paving Border Stieet, 323
Report of East Boston Ferries, 348, 591
Public Parks, 414
Sampson, Ward 17 — remarks:
The department estimates, 22
Abolishing office of Harbor Master, 50
Mystic Valley Sewer, 53
The Salary Bill, 80, 266, 343
The Sewerage System, 86
Election of Harbor Master, 104
Raising grade of Everett street, 114, 180
Investigation of charges c f bribery, 151
Appropriation Bill, 187, 200, 218, 241
Remitting Mercantile-wharf assessment, 189
Congress-street Widening, '219, 235
Classification of city employes, 222
Old State House, 237
Ha v market-square Urinal, 242
Portland-street Widening, 256, 287
Fourth July, 289
Vegetable Market, 330
Improved Sewerage, 362, 375
Old State House, 383
Pay of city laborers, 396
Truant School, 445, 459
Winthrop Railroad, 462
Coroner for County of Suffolk, 500
Proposals for city work only from legal voters, 504
Tax Titles, 581
Public Parks, 618, 625
Care of Almshouses, 631, 660, 706
Mode of decorating seats of deceased members, 6 16
Salaries of License Commissioners' Clerks, 603
Swett street, 658
Treatment of paupers, 700
Schools —
Normal School accommodations, a 159 ; order passed, a 180,
c 185
Rice School, rebuilding authorized, a 179, c 185
Report accepted inexpedient, Kindergarten schools, a 262, c 264
Request for grammar school-house in Dorchester-Everett Dis-
trict referred, a 262 ; report, a 311 ; authorized, a 321, c 315
Request for grammar school-house in Andrew District referred,
c 264, a 274; authorized to purchase site, and erect school-
house, a 409, c 415, 455
Request for school-house near Egleston square referred, c 304,
a 310; report, c 446; specially assigned, c 461, 502; dis-
cussed, order passed, c 516, a 523
Sherwin School District — request referred to next city council,
a 311 ; laid on table, c 314, recommitted, c 346, a 347 ; re-
ferred to next City Council, c 741
Requests for primary school-house in Dorchester-Everett Dis-
trict ; relating to grounds of Everett primary school-house ;
inscription on tablet of Bennett school, referred, c 320, a
322, report, c 446
Request for rooms for Supervisors referred, c 320, a 322 : report,
order passed, a 434 ; discussed, c 435, order passed, c 463
Brighton-Harvard District — request for school-house referred,
c 345, a 347
Bennett school, request to pave yard referred, c 365, a 366
Brighton-Everett School, report and reference, a 367
Rice school-house, repairs of furniture, c 446, a 449
Prescott Dii-trict, request for removing and fitting building
referred, c 401, a 405
Gaston i istrict, request for land referred, c 401, a 405
Request for rearrangement of desks and seats referred, a 432
Change of name of School Districts, a 432
Prospect School, report recommitted, c 446, a 449
Mt. Pleasant, temporary accommodation authorized, a 471, c 472
Truant School — see Truant and Vagrant Dome.
Request for room for gymnastic classes, referred, c 554, a 562
Andrew District, site selected, a 687
Site in Washington Village, hearing, orders passed, a 724,
c 732
Free evening industrial school, room granted, c 741, a 747
Chapman School, improvement authoiized, c 741, a 747
Seventeenth of June —
Celebration in Bunker Hill District, order offered, c 259
Committee appointed, c 264, a 274
Appropriation for celebrating, a 338, c 342
Sewer Department —
Report of Sewerage Commission referred to joint special com-
mittee, a 13, c 16 ; report in part, orders passed to petition,
78, c 87
Annual report of Superintendent, a 24, c 28
Mystic Valley Sewer — see Water.
Hearing on Rockland avenue, sewer, and recommittal, a 174 ;
report, order passed to take laud, a 195; to construct,
a 246
Petition of R. G. Walmsley, referred, a 191
Rebuilding sewer in Mason and Avery streets, a 211
Hearing on Clay on-street sewer, a 225; order passed to take
land, a 246
Petitions for improved sewerage, referred, a 243
Order passed to take land for sewer in Call street, a 246
Stony Brook, report on petition of Aldcn Bartlett accepted;
reconsideied and laid on table, a 246; referred to Street
Commissioners, order passed for assistance by City Engineer
and City Surveyor, a 249
Order to take laud for sewer in Exchange street, Dorchester
a 249
Petitions on East Boston Sewerage referred, a 261
Remonstrance of George B. Emerson and others referred,
c 264, a 273
Mystic-Valley Sewer, order of inquiry passed, c 291
Order to pay $1,000 for right to lay sewer from Amory st. to
Stony Brook, a 339
Report of Committee on report of Commissioners, a 355 ; refer-
ence to Committee on Finance, a 359; discussion, c 362;
discussion, reference to Committee on Finance, c 373;
report, a 406; discussion, order passed, a 421, c 436
Vale st. sewer, order passed, a 449
Nuisance at Damon's wharf, referred, a 468
Harrison ave., order to rebuild sewer, a 481
Roxbury Canal, order passed to petition for leave to fill up,
a 48] , c 499
Beacon and Brimmer st. nuisance, com. from Board of Health,
referred, a 488
Order to extend outlet, foot of Seventh St., a 490
Discussion on outlets of sewers, orders passed, a 490
Hearing on construction in Henley st. and Harvard sq., a 550 ;
discussion, reconsideration rejected, a 564
Brookliue sewer, notice of hearing, referred, a 551
Order passed to construct in Newcomb st. a 101, c 103
Order passed to take land in Dix street, a 587
Report on drainage of Commercial street and Atlantic avenne,
accepted, a 634
Stony Brook, order passed to take land, a 729
Order to construct in Bromley street, a 246
" " " " Vernon street, 246
" " " " School street, Charlestown, 246
" " " " Leverett street, a 249
" " " " Smith street, a 249
" " " " Wendell street, a 249
" " " " Oak place, a 263
" " " " Green st., a 263
" " " " Chestnut st., a 263
" " " " Gordon st., a 263
XIV
INDEX TO PUCCEEDINOS OF CITY COUNCIL.
Order to construct in Elm St., a 263
" '• " " Beaverns ave . ■ 268
" " " " Alveston b( , a 268
" " " "Keye8Bt.,a268
" '■ " " Bouth St., a 268
" " " " Centre st., a 268
" " " ■■ Qree gfa ave., a 263
" " " " Alveston St., a 263
" " " " Harris ave., a 263
" " " " Carolina ave.. a 268
" " " " Call and Starr sts., a 268
' " " " Orleans at., a 268
" " " ■• Est., a 268
" " " " Arlington are., a 268
" " " " Jamaica st , a 277
" " " "Commerce St., a 277
" " " '• Dudley st.. a 295
" " " " Walnut ave , a 339
" " " " Lamartine st.. a 367
" " " " Commercial St., a 367
" " " " Clayton St., a 867
" " " "Adams St., a 867
" " " " Park, l'ai-kman, Elm, Ashland, Everett,
an. I Exchange sts., a 367
" " " " Saratoga St., a 466
" " " " Marcella st.,a470
" " " " Vale st , a 470
" " " " Second st., a 470
" " " " Wilmont st., a 470
" " " " Hampshire St., a 481
" " " "Ruggles8t.,a481
" " " " Everett St., Charlestown, a 481
" " " " Leonard st.. Dorchester, a 490
" " " " Greenwich St., Dorchester, a 490
" " " " Sargent St.. 508
" " " " Howard ave , 508
" " " " Island St., 508
" " " " Leverett st.,508
" " " " (Jrangerst.,508
" " " " Zeigler st., 508
" " " " Myrtle st., 513
" " " " Wyoming st., 528
" " " " Chambers St., 537
" " " " Warwick St., 537
" " " " Marble St., 537
" " " '• Myrtle st., W. llox., 537
" " " " Adams St., 553
" " " "Dixst.,553
" " " " Clifford St., 553
" " " " Henley St., 553
" " " " Harvard »q., 553
" " " " Hereford St., 563
" " " " Dorchester st, 575
" " " " Koanokeave, 575
" " " '• Corey street, 587
" " " " Starr street, 587
" " '• '■ Lamartint street, 652
Shaw, Ward 12 — remarks :
Appointments on committees, 3
Dispensing with Nominating Committees, 7
Retrenchment in salaries and expenditures, 9, 20
Unpaid collectors' fees, 9
On refusals to serve on committees, 17
Exclusion of strangers from Council floor, 22
Investigation of removal of certain buildings, 30
Mystic Vallev Sewer, 52, 292
Salaries of city officers, 88, 222, 266, 28S, 304, 317, 343, 304
Boston Water Board, 92, 122
Inspectors of Elections, 93
Division of Ward 22, 111
Ward 12 contested election, 146, 172
Appropriation Bill, 186. 202, 241
Remitting Mercantile-wharf assessment, 189
Death of Thomas J. Fitzpatrick, 190
Classification of city employes, 205, 222
Clock for Young Men's Christian Union Building, 198
Congreas-stveet Widening, 219, 236, 258
Record of adjournment of Council by President, 255
Personal explanation, 258
Medallions of signers of Declaration of Independence, 259
Fire Dep't, expeuse for water, 265
License Commissioners, 283, 418
Fourth of .July, 289, 307
Badges, 305
Madison square, 314
Excursion, 320
Improved Sewerage, 362, 377, 396, 438
Election of treasurer and collector, 373
Pay of city laborers, 397
School-house for Washington Village, 415
Preservation of Paintings in Faneu.il Hall, 416, 583, 599
School Committee Rooms, 435
Boston Water Board, 440, 458
Public Parks, 443, 539, 602, 621
Truant School, 445, 458
Widening South St., 401, 500
Winthrop Railroad, 462, 473
Fire Commissioner, 474, 532, 546
Coroner for County of Suffolk, 499,732
Proposals for citj «ork onlj from legal voters, 501
Visit to Sudbury river, 015, 533
Legality of election of Leonard K. CuHt, 520
Expenditures for Common and Squares, 680
East Boston i- • - 1 1 les, 558
Tax Titles, 581
Certificates of seven years' service to firemen, 682
Transfer of $60,000 for paving, 636
Reduction of water rates. 636
Care of Almshouses. 688,706, 73G
Commemoration of historic points, 643, 692, 737
Soup for the poor, 643
Diode of decorating the seats of deceased members, 645
Limitation of time for presenting claims, 656
Swett street, 658, 672
License Commissioners, 058
Addition to appropriation for Registrars of Voters, 671
Assessors' plana of estates, 679
Report of votes for ineligible persons, 672
Safety of public halls, etc.. 679, 705
E ployment for poor citizens, 681
Revised Ordinances, 690
New City Charter, 695, 714
Protection of laborers on city work, 697
Right to sound false fire alarms, 698, 717
Treatment of paupers, 700
City Collector's clerks, 705
Sidewalk dealers in fruits, etc., 733, 741
Thanks to the President, 742
Shay, Ward 19 — remarks :
On salaries of city officers, 88, 104,240
Ward 12 contested election, 173
Election of Second Assistant Assessors, 220
Proposals for city work only from legal voters. 504
Death of Everett 0. Kingsbury, 627
Protection of laborers on city work, 708
Sibley , Ward 5 — remarks :
On Urinals on the Public Garden, 28
Mystic-Valley Sewer, 53
Salaries of city officers, 88, 316, 345
Inspectors of Elections, 97
Boston Water Board, 123
Ward 12 contested election, 144
AppropriatiouBill, 199
Badges, 306
Portland-st. Widening, 287
Fourth of July, 307
Boundary line between Boston and Somerville, 457
Fire Commissioner, 543
Protection of laborers on city work, 645, 709
Sidewalk dealers in fruits, etc., 734, 742
Care of Almshouses, 736
Sinking Funds —
Tenth report of Commissioners, c 384
Proposed change in sinking funds layvs and ordinances referred,
a 572; report, a 586; ordinance passed, a 003; order
passed to petition, a 606, c 615; ordinance referred to Com.
on Ordinances, c 616, a 028 ; report, a 729. c 732 ; discus-
sion, order rejected, c 709; reconsideration refused, c 740
Soup for the Poor —
East Boston Relief Association, report accepted, leave to with-
draw, a 138
Report from Chief Police, a 245
Authorized during winter months, c 643; referred, a 650 ; orders
passed, a 663
South Boston R R Co . —
Additional locations granted, a 537 ; accepted, a 551
Spenceley , Ward 19 — remarks :
Reduction of salaries and expenditures, 20
Square on Commonwealth avenue, 72, 111
Salaries of city officers, 92, 109, 270
Clock for Young Men's Christian Union Building, 198
Appropriation Bill, 200, 241
Awnings and Shade Frames, 238
Widening Portland street, 257, 287
Badges, 305
Madison square, 315
Pay of city laborers, 399
Boston Water Board, 453
Truant School, 459
Eglestou-square school-house lot, 517
Vacation lor firemen, 518
Ward-room for Ward 19, 519
Fire Commissioner, 544
Certificates of seven years' service to firemen. 582
Preservation of paintings in Faneuil Hall, 600
Death of E. C. Kingsbury, 627
Protection of laborers on city yvork, 644, 708
Mode of decorating seats of deceased members, 646, 660
Swett street. 657
License Commissioners, 659
Safety of pnblic halls, etc., 680
Sprague, Ward 10 — remarks :
City Registrar's Department, 164
Appropriation Bill, 187
Egleston-square school-house lot, 503
Tax Titles, 581
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
XV
Standard Laundry Machine Co.'s claim, 598
Northampton-st District, 650
Limitation of time for presenting claims, 656, 742
Protection of laborers on city work. 698
City Hospital Report. 733
Care of Almshouses, 736
State Aid —
Quarterly report of Paymaster, a 12, 245, 406, 535
Committee, a 14, c 16
Stebbins, Alderman — remarks :
Adjustment of damages to estates, by experts, 14
Reduction of Commissions, 15
Reduction of Salaries, 23
Unfinished business of Church, Suffolk and Northampton-st
City Registrar's Department, 26, 160, 177, 193, 250, 467
Public Urinals on Public Garden, 26
Report nominating Ferry Directors, 32
Style of City Documents, 33
Rule abolishing appropriation item classification, 34
Reduction of city valuation, 35, 48
Mystic Valley Sewer, 60
Sale of Fireworks, 65
Parker Hill Reservoir, 67
Protection of Faneuil Hall, 77
System of Sewerage, 78
The District Courts, 101
Raising grade of Everett street, 114
Division of Ward 22, 135
Salaries, 80, 153, 137, 183, 214, 274, 300, 340
Clock of Christian Union Building, 180
Caroline Price's claim, 192, 231, 297, 360
Appropriation Bill, 207
Repaying Water street, Charlestown, 210
Standard Laundry Machine Co.'s claim, 215
Notice of change of ownership of property, 250
License Commissioners, 276
Paintings in Faneuil Hall. 77, 312
Museum of Fine Arts, 313
Vegetable Market, 328, 451
Paving Border St., 323
Annual report of Public Institutions, 326
Report of East Boston Ferries, 347, 595
Regulation of cars on circuit, 336, 351, 368, 394
Public Parks, 414
Revision of laws and ordinances, 338
Temporary Loan, 360
Boundary lines between Boston and Somerville, 465
Winthrop Railroad, 471
Annual report of City Registrar, 485
Outlets of Sewers, 490
Fire Commissioners, 494, 509
Projecting steps in Charlestown, 551, 568, 577
Uncollectable taxes, 563
Sewer in Henley street and Harvard square, 564
Printed lists of voters, 565
Paving Main street, 570
Bonfires in public streets and squares, 588
Removal of obstructions from sidewalks, 590
State election returns, 604
Contract for 1877 in Paving Department, 605
Representative to Congress from Third District, 607
Sinking Fund Act, 6 6
Final election returns, 613
Annexation of (iermantown, Ward 23. to Dedham, 633
Additional paving appropriation, 633
School Committee Building, 634
Drainage of Commercial street and Atlantic avenue, 634
Fences on railroad tracks, 648
Limitation of time for presentation of claims, 653
Truant children, 654
Fast driving, 654
Soup for the poor, 665
Safety of places of amusement, 683, 703
Assessors' plans. 703
Protection of laborers on city work, 722
Schoolhouse site in Washington Village, 724
Expense of litigation growing out of great fire, 730
Street venders of fruit, etc., 747
Stone, Ward 3 — remarks :
On Boston Water B lard, 92, 121, 166
Inspectors of Elections, 95
Salary Bill, 126,316,364
Ward 12 contested election, 171
Election of Second Assistant Assessors, 219
License Commissioners, 303, 417
Chestnut-Hill Reservoir, 320
Excursion , 320
Improved Sewerage, 362,376, 436
Old State House, 383
Horse and vehicle for City Architect, 395
Pay of city laborers, 397"
Boston Water Board, 419, 440
Truant School, 445, 459
Winthrop Railroad, 462
Extension of Fairfield street, 515
East Boston Ferries, 555
Duplicate names of streets, 626
Addition to appropriation for Registrars of Voters, 671
Revised Ordinances, 690
New City Charter, 694
City Collector's clerks, 705
Streets —
Annual report of Commissioners, a 23, c 28
Superintendent authorized to purchase horses and supplies,
furnish and set edgestones, pave sidewalks, erect fences,
number streets, grant permits to open streets, lay cross-
walks and pave gutters, a 25
Committee authorized to refer claims to arbitration, a 34
Portlaud-st. Widening, communication from street commission-
ers referred, a 62, c 70; report inexpedient, resolve and
order rejected, a 117, c 121; communication from street
commissioners referred, a 178, c 185 ; report discussed, a 211 ,
251; order passed, a 251; discussed and assigned, c 255;
discussion, order passed, c 286
Wire rope across Spring lane authorized, a 77
Report on Everett-st. Raising, a 100: discussion, a 180, 10):
decree passed, a 217; bond referred, a z49 : report, bond
approved, permit to close Everett street, a 260
Committee authorized to settle claims, a 117
Carrying showbills on sidewalks, a 118, c 121; ordinance re-
ported, a 194 ; passed, a 206, c 238
Back-bay Bridges, land purchase authorized, a 139, e 166; order
passed, a 321
Orders passed to remove awnings, a 163, c 164, a 178, a 195, or-
dinance reported, a 194, passed, a 206; discussed, laid on
table, c 238, passed, c 3o5
Repair of City Stable, Medford st,, uthorized, 178
Permit to Nay lor and Co., to lay pipe under Dorchester ave.,
a 194
Sale of land corner Hanover and Clark streets, authorized,
c 199, a 207
Sale of land corner North and Hanover streets, authorized,
c. 199, a 207
Estate, corner Congress and State streets — see Public Buildings.
Order passed relating to swing signs and mortars, a 245
Permit to Kidder, Vaughan & Co., to lay pipe through Curtis
and Chelsea streets, a 241)
Order to construct retaining walls at Berkeley-st. Bridge, a 273
Raising grade on West Chester Park and CommonwealtU ave.
authorized, a 321, c 345
Order of notice to quit on State St , a 302
" " " " Blanchard St., 302
Huntington ave., petition B. & A. R Co. referred, a 3. '2
Report for regulating horse-car routes, a 323
Order to regulate fast driving, a 325, c 330 ; report, a 338 ;
ordinance passed, a 347 : amended and passed, c 373, a 385
Order to regulate passage of cattle, a 325, c 330, a 410, 421, c 435
Regulation of horse-cars on the circuit, a 323, 336 ; hearing and
discussion, a 349; discussion, a 367; indefinite postpone-
ment, a 410
Sale of building on Bowdoin, Church and Adams sts. author-
ized, a 367, c 373
Permission to erect two flag-staffs on Broadway, a 355
Notice to heirs of David Sears, a 355, c 372
Widening Prince st. referred to Street Commissioners, a 355, 552;
report, referred to Com. on Streets, a 60d, c 615
Atlantic ave., petitions referred to Street Commissioners, a 393
Notice to Met. R. Co., to pave on Washington s*., a 393
Notice to Middlesex R. Co , to pave on Beverly St., a 409
Notices of obstructions referred, a 406, 468
Dangerous railroad crossing referred, a 432
Broadway extension, land and buildings placed in charge of
Paving Committee, c 446, a 449
Widening South st., discussion, order passed, e 461, a 464 ;
communication from Street Commissioners, a 476 ; dis-
cussion, a 483 ; order laid on table, a 485 : order to report
estimated cost passed, a 485; report, discussion, order
passed, a 495, c 500
Baiting horses, order passed, a 488
Expediency of regulating speed in Ward 15 referred, a 491. c 499 ;
report, ordinance passed, a 654, c 657
Extension of Fairfield street, communication from Commis-
sioners, order passed, a 507; c 515, 533
South Boston Hats, communication from Harbor Commis-
sioners, a 511
Removal of stepson Monument avenue, a 511; discussion,
a 528, 5U6 ; order rejected, 569: reconsideration refused,
576
Removal of steps from Washington, Bunker Hill and Summer
streets, a 513, c 523 ; a 551, 570, 579, 5U0
Purchase of steam street roller, a 528
King's mill-pond, Dorchester, order of 1875 modified, a 613,
c 515
Paving Main street, Charlestown. referred, a 570
Orders of notice to quit on Silver street and Fort avenue,
a 553
Superintendent directed to remove obstructions, a 563 ; recon-
sideration, order laid on table, a 576
Order to petition for amendment of building act, to prevent
projections on streets, a 579, 590
Disscussion on bonfires in public streets and squares, leave to
withdraw, a 588
Removal of obstructions from sidewalks, a 590, c 597
Order authorizing contract for paving blocks, recommitted, a
605 ; passed, a 633, c 660
XVI
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COt'XCIL.
393
393
Dlscuulon on duplicate name* oi street*, order pUMd,c602)
reconsidered, amended, and passed, c iVM: referred, a 628
Boston ft Albanj Railroad permitted to lay steam pipe under
Lehigh street, a 806
Release of estate on Clark street to J. F. Gammcll, a 605, c
616
Order passed to pi \ 8626 additional to Michael Barrett, a 605
Order passed December 1.",, H7:J, relating to encroachment on
streets, rescinded, a 606
Widening Barton court, referred, c OiT, a 650
Eastern avenue location approved bt Harbor Commissioners,
ami Governor and Council, a 662 j grade established, a 662
$25,000 for Swett street, a 653; referred to Committee on
Streets, e 658; reconsideration, order passed, c 672
Release to Henry B. Chamberlain authorize I, a 686, 6 0S9
Culvert uniler Westchester l'a'k authorized, a 080, c 689
Slieil on Paving Department Wharf authorized, 701
Alban] St. — revised grade, 4-n
Allartl court, named, 661
Alpine st., edgestones and gutters, 311
Alveston street, edgestones, gutters, sidewalks, 528
Arlington ave., grade established, 323
Ashland st., establish grade, 633
Ashland street, West Roxbury, grading anil gravelling, 117
Athens st. — edgestones, gutters, roadway, 393
Athens st. — edgestones, gutters, sidewalks, roadway, 449
Atlantic ave. — paving, 409
Beach st., Charlestown, establish grade, 651
Beverly St., paving, 295
Bickford st., edgestones, gutters and sidewalks, 605
liirch st., named, 661
Bolton st. — gutters, sidewalks, roadway, 393
Bolton st. — edgestones, gutters, sidewalks, roadway, etc.
Bonier st. — paving, 323
■ Boston street, grade established, 138
Boston st., grade and gravel, 295
Bowen st. — edgestones, gutters, sidewalks, roadway, etc
Brimmer place, expediency of widening and extending, 493;
concrete Cobble-stone pavement, 552
Brimmer street, concrete, 552
Bromfield street, repaying, 210
• Canal street, paving 210
Cary street, revised grade, 573
Central ave., grading, 273
Centre St., establish grade, 202
Centre street, retaining wall, 511 ; edgestones, gutters, sidewalks,
528
Chestnut-Hill sq., Brighton — concrete sidewalk, 488
Clifton street, grading, 65
Clinton st , repave, grade and gravel, 262
Columbus ave , edgestones, paved gutters, madadamize road-
way, 262
• Commerce St., grading, edgestones, etc., 311
Congress street, grading, paving, 552
■ Corey st. — grade and gravel, 372
• Curtis street, grade established, 33 ; grading, 45
■ Curve St.— revised grade, 480
• Dartmouth St., edgestones, gutters, roadway, 311
■ Deblois St. — edgestones, and paved gutters and sidewalks, 355
• E st. — edgestones and gutters, 393
■ Eagle st. — edgestones, gutters, 468
• East Eighth st. — edgestones and gutters, 372
• East fifth st. — edgestones and gutters, 433
■ Eliot street, West Koxhury , revised grade established, 138
■ Ellery street, grading, edgestoue, gutters, 245
• Endicott st., concrete, 295
• Everton st., named, a T47
■ Exeter street, plank walk and fence, 159
■ Fifth st. — edgestones, gutters, sidewalks, roadway, etc , 393
First st. — repaying, 385
- Fort avenue, edgestones, gutters, roadway, 511
- Fourth st., brick sidewalks, 262
- Franklin st., Charlestown — gutters, edgestones, etc., 466
- Franklin st., Brighton — edgestones, grading, gravelling, 480
- Frontstreet, Charlestown, paving, 210
- Geneva avenue, named, a 747
- Glen street, grading, 552 ; revised grade, 563
- Granite st. — repaying, 3o5
- Green street, U ard 24, grade, 573
- Greenough ave., establish grade, 277
- llarley, Koslin and Walton sts., grading and gravelling, 323
- Hayward pi., edgestones, sidewalks, gutters, macadamizing,
277
- Heath street, grade established, 249
- Heath pi., grade and gravel, 277
- Huntington avenue, removal of rubbish, 45
- Huntington ave. and Newton st. — grading, 433
- Jamaica St., changed to Walk-hill St., 277
- Langdou st. — revised grade, 480
- Lime st. — edgestones, gutters, sidewalks, roadways, etc , 393
- Lincoln street, name extended to portion of Franklin street,
Brighton, 249
- Lincoln st., Charlestown — edgestones, gutters, 480
- Main street, Charlestown, piving, 513
■ Marlborougu st , edgestones, sidewalks, gutters, roadway, cess-
pools, drains, 202
- Mason street, repave, 511
Mither st., establish grade, 651 ; grade and gravel, 747
— Melville avenue, Dorchester, revised grade, 249
— Mercantile St., repave, 262
— Mercer st. —edgestones and gutters, 433
— Mt. Washington ave. — paving, 488
— Myrtle street, repaying, 537
— Newbern st., grade, gravel, edgestones, gutters, 322
— ^Norfolk st., plank walk, 701
— Northampton St., edgestones, paved gutters, 262
— Oak st. — edgestones, gutters, roadway, 482
— Ocean st. — grading and gravelling, 323
— Olney st.. named, a "47
— Orchard Park st., grade, gravel, edgestones, gutters and side-
walks, 661
— Orleans street, revised grade established, 117
— Paris St., grade, gravel, edgestones, sidewalks, gutters, 295
— Park St., grade and macadamize, 651
— 1'arkinan st., establishing grade, grading, macadamizing, 725
— Berry ct. changed to Hampden pi., 277
— Prospect st , repave, 295
— Putnam St., edgestones, gutters, sidewalks, 295
— Richmond St., repave, grade and gravel, 262
— Ruggles st., grade, macadamize, edgestones, gutters, 295
— Schuyler street, edgestones and paved gutters, 511
— Scavcr street, edgestones and gutters, 563
— Silver st — edgestones, etc., 393
— South street, order to quit, 513
— St. .lames ave , establish grade, 295 ; grade, edgestones, etc., 295
— Swett street, edgestones, paving, fences, grading, etc., 552
— Terrace street, order to quit, 195
— Thoinley street, edgestones, gutters, macadamizing, 537
— Thompson square, new crosswalk, 159
— Tremont st. — edgestones, gutters, sidewalks 468
— Trull street, grading, 552 ; revised grade, 563
— Tudor st — edgestones, gutters, roadway, 393
— Tudor st. — edgestones, gutters, sidewalks, roadway, 466
— Walnut St., Charlestown — edgestones, gutters, sidewalks, grad-
ing and gravelling, 480 ; edgestones, gutters, 488; revised
grade, 563
— Walter street, grading and gravelling, 249
— Waltham st., macadamize, a 605
— Warren St., paving, 295
— Washington St., Boston Highlands, paving, 311
— Washington street, West Roxbury, plank walk and fence, 249
— Washington street, Ward 23, grade and macadamize, 511
— Water street, Charlestown, repaying, recommitted, a 225, order
passed, 249
— Wells ave., grading and gravelling, 323
— West Chester Park, fences, plank walk, 576, c 597, 626
— Western avenue, grading and macadamizing, 725
Summer Vacation —
Orders passed, c 420, a 434
Suffolk-street District — see Claims.
Sweetser, Ward 17 — remarks:
The department estimates, 22
Mystic Valley Sewer, 51
Boston Water Board, 92, 122
Election of Harbor Master, 103
Salaries of city officers, 105
Appropriation Bill, 202
Fire Dept.'s expense for water, c 265
Fourth of July, 291, 307
I'erry report, 3o5
Visit to Sudbury river, 515
Legality of election of Leonard R. Cutter, 520
Reduction of Water Rates, 636
Commemoration of historic points, 643
Swett street, 657
Care of Almshouses, 660
Right to sound false fire alarms, 700
Taxes — see headings Assessors' Department, Collector's Depart-
ment, Auditor of Accounts.
Petitions representing excessive valuation, c 264 ; referred to
Assessors, a 274
Uncollectable taxes remitted, a 563
Report on petition of H. II. Faxon, discussion on tax titles, laid
on table, c 581 ; leave to withdraw, c 679
Taylor, Ward 6 — remarks :
On salaries of city officers, 110, 271, 342
Boston Water Board, 123
Vegetable Market Investigation, 142
First Assistant Assessors, 169
Appropriation Bill, 187
Election of Second Assistant Assessors, 219
Fourth of July, 308
Pay of city laborers, 396
Preservation of Paintings in Faneuil Hall, 417, 582, 599
License Commissioners, 418
Improved Sewerage, 436
Boston Water Board, 419, 440
Widening South street, 500
Legality of election of Leonard R. Cutter, 519
Care of Almshouses, 639, 720
Better facilities for Harbor Master, 644
Mode of decorating seats of deceased members, 645
Thompson, Alderman — remarks:
On reduction of Commissions, 27
Works of art for the Centennial, 59
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
XVII
Mystic Valley Sewer, 59
Oongress-st. Widening, 116
Salaries, 82, 137, 156, 183, 214, 279, 300, 312, 340, 386
Clock of Christian Union Building, 180
Transfer of registration to Hoard of Health, 181
Caroline Price's claim, 102, 232, 297, 360, 455
City Registrar's Department, 193, 250
Public Library building, 196
Appropriation Bill, 208
Ifepaving Water street, Uharlestown, 210, 225
Widening Portland street, 211, 251
Old State House, 233
Electing Director for Public Institutions, 226
License Commissioners, 216, 303, 404
Museum of Fine Arts, 313
Vegetable Market, 328, 452
Paving Border street, 323
Reconstruction of Chelsea Bridge, 329
Annual report of Public Institutions, 327
Regulation of cars on the circuit, 352, 367, 391
Temporary Loan, 360
Pay of city laborers, 406
Winthrop Railroad, 464, 471
Boundary lines between Boston and Somerville, 465
Widening South street, 483, 496
Fire Commissioners, 509, 627
Projecting steps in Charlestown, 511, 528, 551, 566, 576
Paving Main Street, 513, 570
Sewer in Henlej Street and Harvard Square, 550, 664
Printed lists of voters, 565
Alleged discharge of city laborers for political reasons, 575
Bonnres in public, streets and squares. . r >S8
Proposed public square in Brighton, 589
Removal of obstructions from sidewalks, 590
Report of East Boston Ferries, 595
Representative to Congrees from Third District, 607
Final election returns, 613
F'ences on railroad tracks, 648
Election of Overseer of Poor, 650
Salary of License Commissioners' clerks, 653
Limitation of time for presentation of claims, 654
Past-driving, 654
Sale ofCooper-St. Armory, 662
(las Commissioner, 605
Safety of places of amusement, 704
Protection of laborers on city work, 723
Clock on Metropolitan Stable. 728
Thanks to the Chairman, 750
Ticknor, Ward 23 — remarks:
On Boston Water Board, 122
Salaries of city officers, 126, 130
Appropriation Bill, 241
Egleston square school-house lot, 516
Train, Ward 20— remarks :
Appointments on committees, 3
Expenses of committees and members, 22, 40
Election of Directors for Public Institutions, 28
Mystic-Valley Sewer, 51
1 he Sewerage System, 86
Salaries of city 'officers, 89, 105, 221, 267, 364
Boston Water Board, 124, 160
Vegetable Market Investigation, 124, 142, 151, 223
Truant School Building, 100
Appropriation Bill, 200, 241
Congress-street Widening, 219, 236
Portland-street Widening, 256
Medallions of Signers of Declaration of Independence, 259
Badges, 307
License Commissioners, 283
Vegetable .Market, 330
1 in proved Sewerage, 374, 436
Horse and vehicle for city Architect, 395
School Committee Rooms, 435
Boston Water Board, 440
Public Parks, 442, 021
Truant School, 445, 459, 598
School-house in Washington Village, 445
School-house it Mt. Pleasant, 472
Fire Commissioner, 474, 532
Coroner for County of Suffolk, 500, 733
Extension of Fairfield street, 515
Visit to Sudbury river, 515
Legality of election of Leonard R. Cutter, 521
Facilities for city employes to vote, 554
Standard Laundry Machine Co.'s claim, 598
Preservation of portraits in Faueuil Hall, 600
Sinking Funds, 615
Swett street, 657, 672
New City Charter, 694
Another polling place in Ward 24, 732
Sidewalk dealers iu fruits, etc., 733
Care of Almshouses, 737
Treasury Department —
Annual report, c 318
Mortgage discharged, a 355
Report on examination of accounts, c 401, a 405
Trees —
Removals authorized, a 46, 66, 100, 138, 180, 275, 325, 492, 565,
587, 589, 833
Hearing on removal from Centre street, Dorchester, referred,
a 648
Permits refused, a 687, 728
Truant and Vagrant Home —
Truant School building, Marcella St., repairs authorized, c 259,
a 261 ; request for additional appropriation referred, a 369,
c 362; report, c 384, a 385; orders passed, e 445, a 451 ;
discussion, c 458 ; amended order passed, c 461, a 464 ; con-
tract with Levi W. Shaw, a 481, c 499, 515; 82.000 for
steam cooking apparatus, a 587, c 597 ; ordinance passed,
a 654, c 657
Land set apart, a 492, c 499
Ordinance passed relating to truant children, a 654, c 657
Surrender of completed building authorized, c 678, a 683
Trull , Ward 5 — remarks :
Expenses of Committees, 57
Unclaimed Baggage -
Boston & Albany R. R. Co., petition referred, a 32; report,
sale approved, a 46
Unfinished business —
Standing committees directed to resume, c 1, a 14
Referred to next City Council :
Change in high service v a L er supply, a 632, c 636
Equalization of salaries, a 687, c 689
New City Charter, c 693, a 747
Joint Committee business, c 741, a 747
Extension of Hayward place, c i42
Extension of Brimmer place, a 747
School-house, Sherwin District, c 7-11, a 7l7
Report in relation to parks, c 73S, a 747
Referred to next Board of Aldermen :
Railway location in Columbus avenue, a 701
Committee business, a 74S
Union F'reight Railroad —
Expediency of regulating running of cars referred to Com. on
Ordinances, a 491, c499 ; teport, referred to Com. on Paving,
a 635, c 636 ; report, referred to Com. on Police, a 651
Viles, Alderman — remarks :
On public Urinals in streets, and on Public Garden, 26
The Appropriation Bill, 207
Salaries, 300
Annual report of Public Institutions, 327
Report of East Boston Ferries, 347
Marcella street building for Truant School, 385
Pay of city laborers, 433
Winthrop Railroad, 464
Outlets of Sewers, 490
Sewer in Henley street and Harvard square, 564
Drainage of Commercial st. and Atlantic ave.,634
Protection of laborers on city work, 7'-4
Votes of Thanks —
To Rev. Geo. E. Ellis, D. D., for oration on Evacuation Dav, a
180, c 185
To donors of Washington Medal, c 185, a 193
To Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, for Fourth of July Oration, c 420,
a 432
Wards — Division of Ward 22, c 98, referred, c 111, a 115 : report,
order rejected, reconsidered and passed, c 132; dis-
cussed and passed, a 135 ; order passed to report ordi-
nance, a 263, c 264 ; report, a 278 ; ordinance passed, a
294, c 319
Order to provide ward-room, Ward 12, c 288, a 294
Expediency of ward-room, Ward 3, c 291, a 294
Expediency of ward-room, Ward 1, c 365, a 366
Report on new ward-rooms, c 419 : order passed, c 445, a 449
Ward-room, Ward 5, expediency referred, c 463, a 464; report
inexpedient, c 475, a 477
Ward-room for Ward 7, located, a 489. c 499
Ward-room of Ward 13 establis ed, a 513, c 515
Ward-room for Ward 14, referred, c 519, a 523
Ward-room for Ward 1 a 529, c 530
" " " 16, referred c 534, a 535
Ward 23, resignation of Clerk, a 551
Ward-room for Ward 19, established, a 606, c 615
\\ ard 24, additional polling-place, a 727, c 732
Ward Officers — see City Charter.
Washington's Birthday —
Order passed to commemorate, c 42, a 59
Water —
Order passed to consider expediency of abolishing department
Water Accounts, c 21, a 23 ; report, c 38 ; accepted, c 265,
a 274
Petition of heirs of Warren Fisher, referred, c 29 ; report, c 37 :
order passed, c 50, a 69 ; communication from Water Board!
c 07, 130, a 134
Report on Mystic Valley Sewer, c 38 ; discussion, orders passed,
- 51 ; disc ssion, a 59, orders passed, a 80 ; order to account
for delay, c 291. a 294 : report from Board a 303
Report on Boston Water board, c 73 ; referred to Committee on
Ordinances, c 92, a 100; report, c 111; discussion, c 121,
166 ; ordinance passed, c 168, a 175
CITY < i O V KRNMENT,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Organization of the Government,
JANUARY 3, 1876.
Tin? member* elect of the Board of Aldermen
weiecdlled tn oiler at twenty minutes pc.st ten
o'clock, bv the City Clrrk.
Tlie Mavor eleci, bis Honor Samuel C. Cobb, en-
tered the eh a nbei aud too» a seat in the Chair.
E^ was accompanied by Chief Justice Giay and
Rev. Di. I.o 'me , wio'took seats to cbe right aad
iBtt.
A nif-ssaue wa-' icceived from the Common
Council that quorum of that body was present
and ready to b;- qualified, -.nd the Mavor and
Aldermen elect proce-oed to the Council Cham-
ber, accomoanied bv the City Clerk and City Mes-
senger Peters.
The oi embers elect of the Common Counci' were
called to order at twentj minut-s past ten o'clock
A. M. by Mr. Mouison of Ward 17.
On motion of Mr. Sampson of Ward 17, Messrs.
Sampson of Ward 17, Devereux of Wird 4, Peirce
of Wnrd 18, Willcutt of Ward 23 and Flynn of
Ward 13 were appointed a committer to collect
credentials. They reported tbat fifty-tight mem-
bers elect were prese t, constituii' g a quorum.
On n.otion of Mt. Guild of Waid 9, that gentle-
man wa? aopomted a committee of one to miorm
the Major and Al ier pen elect that a quorum of
the C minon Council were present ready to be
qualified. In a f*w minutes Mr. Guild returned
ana reported that be had performed the duty and
that the Mayor and Aldermeo elect would forth-
with attend for the purpose of quahfyiog tbe
members.
The Mayor and Aldermen elect entered the Com-
mon Council Chamber and took seats with the
Council men elect,
Praver was offered bv Rev. Dr. Lorimer.
Chief Justice Gray admi nstered the usual oath
of office to his Honor Mayor Cobb. Tbe names of
the AldP-inen and Coucilmtn elect *»ce called
by The City C'erk and tbe usual oat.s of office
were administered to them by his Honor the
Mayor.
Ihe Mayor delivered his iDaugnral address and
at its conclusion the Mayor ana Aldermen retired
trom the Council Chamber.
Ro.n-d of Aldermen.
The Mayor and Alderuvm leturned to the al-
dermacic cnambei and the Mayor took tb«i chair.
On moiion ot Aldennao Ste ibins, tne Board pro-
ceeded to an election for Chairman, and toe re-
sult was that the wh de number of votes cast
wer a for JohD T. Clatk. On takiug the chair Al-
derman Clark said-
Gentle nen of the Board of Aldermen- Permit
me to return my sincere thanks tor the boi or
wbi?o you have co.ferred in electing me
to this responsible position. I assu.e you.
gentlemen, I appreciate most profoundly this
mark of your confidence and respect, and
rntst that witl your ?id and forbearance
I may be able to fulfil the duties of th? office
in smth a manner as to met it your continued
approval. The u,any and varied interests
ot the city «*H1 r* quire our careful atten-
tion, and call tor the exerei-e of discretion
and tbeapp plication of --ound business princi-
ples ..ton all matters brought b fore ns
for our consi' eration. It will he incumbent upon
us to exsreise tbe oower placed in our hands with
prudence aid ■ a*e It should b- our endeavor to
ifehteo, so fares it is nossible to do so without
injury to the tuture arowth and pros-
pentv of our city, tbe bur»h-n of faxes which
nave been made unusually large by occurrences
of an extra' >rdioary nature, and which in the pres-
ent depressed condition of 'he business of toe
country b.-ars heavily upon the people. The as-
sessed valuation ot property in many sections of
the city is much in excess of its market value,
and is much more tnao could he realized tor
itnow,oi most liiely for some years to come.
I think tbe valuation should be reduced, even
though it be found necessary, in older to defray
the expenses of the Government, to increase the
rate of taxation. Let us see woetherwe cannot,
by judicious aoproprialionsand ti.e postponement
of such public improvements as will not
luffei bv delay, accomplish what would be
so desi - ab'e to the taxpayers, a reduction
in both valuation anil the rate. In doina-this I
could not 'ose sight of the tant that in improve-
mercs iit-etiny toe health of the p-ople *nd the
gai ita y condition of the city, it might bo unwise
economy to d fer, for Boston ought not to suffer
by a comparison or its death rate with any city of
its size in the world.
I believe, trei.tiemen.tbat we all folly appreciate
tbe respoii.sibi'ities which we have accepte', and
that *e enter upon the duties of the year, which
marks the first ce.tenmal m the history of the
natio , tudv intei ding, and with an ear test de-
sire. 'O adminirt-r the trust confided to us in such
a Planner a« to men t the app'oval of our fellow
citizen;. A^aii thanking vou, gentlemen, and
wishing vou all a pleasant, prosperous ?nd happy
new yea , I wait your pleasure.
An elecfio" for a Co-omitte*-. on Accounts was
orderec.o motion of Ahieiman Pope, with the
followiug re ult:
.Vhols number of votes 12
1 ecessarv for a choice 7
John X. Clark had 12
Solomon 1$. Siebbins 11
Hugh O'Brien 12
A' d Aid' rmen Clatk. Stebbins and O'Brien we e
declared elected.
On motion of Alderman Viles, a message -'as
s nt o the Common Cou cil informing th»-m of
the organization of the Board, aud a r-cess was
tak-n. After th o recess, a message './as received
tn jt 1 be Council had organized ana was reaiy to
tjiocesd t'> busin ss.
On motion o c Alderman Stebbin» a message was
sent to the Common Council proposing a joint
convention for the choice of a City Cl°rk. Subse-
quently a me-sage was received that the Council
had concuried aid the Ma; or and Aldermen pro-
ceed to toe Council chamber.
The A'Cerut-n returned ft .m tie joiit conven-
tion, and proceeoed to the transaction of busi-
ne s, Alderman Clack m thech-ir.
On motion of Alderman Burrage it wa- ordered
tliat the rules an-1 orders of the Board of Alder-
avn of 1875 be adopt -d as the rules and orders of
tris Board until otherwise ordered, and th*t Al-
ee m-"i Burra^e and O'Brien be ? committee to
examine and report if ar-y alterations are re-
quired therein.
Oi motion of Aioeiman Sreobi's it was ordered
that the several heads of departments and boards
o* director- of the vat ous institutions b- author-
ized to submit 1 heir annuai i^potrsin pnnt under
the direction of the SuceiHtendent of Printing.
Sent down.
On 1 otio-. of Alderman O'Brien, it was ordered
ihat until oMsiwis- ordered, Mondays, at four
o'c.ock P. M., De assigned is the davs and hour*
for holding the legulai meetings of th^ Board.
The Bo,' id then toot a recess or fifteen minuter.
On aiotion of AJdcrmau Stebbins it was ordered
that Aldermen , with sucn as the Com-
mon Council may join, be a committee to prepare
joint rules aad orderf for the goverrmMir of the
present City Council, and Aldermen Stebbins and
Ihompson were appointed.
The Board then adjou nei till Monday next, at
fou- o'clock.
Tn Common Council.
Afier the Mayor a d Aldermeo retired fro 11 the
Council chamber, Mr. Morrison resumed the chair,
and on motion of Mr. Croqker of Ward 9, an elec-
tior for President was otdced. Messrs. Crocker
of Ward 9, Parker of Warn 21, ana Sma don of
Ward 10 were appointed a committee to collect
ano count vo ee. They leported a? lo'lo«s:
Whole number of votes 66
Necessary to a choice ..jm
J. Q. A. Brackett of Ward 17 had 66
And Mi. Btackett wis declared unaDimou«ly
elected.
Messrs. Peabodv of Ward 11 and Blanchard of
Ward 21 were appointed a committee to conduct
the Presicent to the chair, which duty they per-
formed. On taking tbe chair President Brackstt
said-
Gentlemen o° the Common Council— For the
generous confidence and regard von have mani-
fested in calling me 10 this post of autyandof
honor, I tender you my n ost hear'fc-lt thanks. To be
selectee tor this position from among the seventv-
two gentlemtn composing this a semblv, so
many of whom are my superiors in age,
in experience ana in a.biim, is a compli-
ment which I deeply aopreciate and shr-.ll
ever fondly treasure in my memo y. This office is
JANUARY 3, 1876
2
one which any man may justlv feel honored in
being tailed upon to fill. In legard to my candida-
cy foi it it is gratifying tome to be able to state that
your support has beeo so freely and spontaneously
profferec tbat I have had no occasion, even
if I had baa the disposition to solicit
any one of you for his vote o. his in-
fluence. And it is due to you that I
should also public! v state that no one of vour
nuoiDer has maoe the terder of his assir-tance
conditional upon any promise or agreement on
mjy part as to any place of preferment which it
would be in my power to bestow. 1 come to this
office untrammelled b> sny pledges, or undei-
stauuings, or alliance.' that might bias or em»ar-
ra>s me in the discbarge of it> dutic. Sugges-
tions it is true have been made, and will doubtless
continue to be made, and . 11 these I shall respect-
fully receive and dulv consider, from whatever
souuee they gay come, re-erving the right to act
upon them according co what shall «eem ro me to
be most conducive to the pob'icui'erests coofided
to our hf.tids.
Win n I reflect upon the responsibilities and.
difficulties pertaining to this posiiion, i must con-
fess that it is with many misgivings that I assume
them ; for nothing would be a source of keener
regret than to disappoi> t your expectations
and weak n the confidence you have so kind-
ly expressed. T*ie remembrance or the unbroken
fri end -hip enjoyed with all of your number with
whom I have been as-ooiated in the Councils of
past yaais and trie pleasant acquaintance alieady
begun with uia.jy of you who come b 3 re todty as
new members, assure methatj. can rely upon your
sympathy and vour charitable judgment for the
enors it may be my misfortune to commit.
We are enteriog today upon the performance of
<rrave and arduous duties. Uoon few city gov-
ernments of the past have weightier respo sioili-
ties tested iban those we are called upon to un-
dertake. Although the opening of the new vear
is usually a t me for congratulations, and although
it would be more congenial to our tastes to con-
tetnpla e the blight and promising features of
our municipal condition, I believe it will be wiser
for us to boldly confront some ot its sterner as-
pects at the outset ot our official life. 1 ceeii not
advert to the ort-memiOLied deprs >ion of busi-
ness, to the large indebtedness burdening the
city, to rhe great expe j s<> winch the conduct of
its affairs necessuats. These tacts are
patent to you all. Th:> coir-spoiirting duties
which tdey involve cannot be too forcibly im-
pressed upon us. "Retienchment and Reform"
is the popular war civ of every political oarry
before an election. Unfortu lately it is not so
uniformly it-, rule of practice after its installation
into power. May it be one of the achievements
ot this City Council to pove by its action its
fealty to that sentiment. One or two plain state-
ments beanag uoon this subject may not be out
of place here. It is gene ally conceded that the
valuation or pronerty in our city is excessive and
must be materially reduced toe present year.
This reduction will naturally occasion aniucrease
in the rate ot taxation, and to confine this in-
crease within the s Tallest possible bounds seems
to me to be one of the primal duties of the City
Government. To this end a careful ecrutiny of
the annual appropriation bill, scanning it item
by item, to see if reductions canuot be made
even after the careful estimates of the va-
rious departments and committees, will be
important. To this end many enterprises,
woittiy and desirable in themselves, oat not
indispensable, will have to be deferred to more
favorable times. In the mattei of street widen-
ings and extensions, for instance, we ate a 1 ! aware
tbat during the few past years great expenditures
have been made, aod, as a rule, wiselv made.
Many other streets we aiefamilim with the widen-
ing of which would undoubtedlypromote the pub-
lic convenience. And yet we should deliberate
long and carefully before eutering upon any un-
dertakings of this character, however desirable
they apparently may be. If not one should be
undeitaken by this Government,— unless in some
case of imperative necessity, — I believe that our
action id this particular would be aopxoved by a
large majority of our citizens. I refer to this
subject only by way of example. In regard to
many of the other projects to which our attention
may be iuvited, unless they are shown io be essen-
tial to the public bealh ana safety, to the protec-
tion of person and property, or otherwise to be of
urgent aacessity, it seems to me that the art of
"bow not to do it" sbould be the art to be
studied and practised. To have the glory of
participating in grand enterprises which shall add
to the public cnve< lence and t > the grandeur of
the city is certaiuly more inspiring ad more
agreeable to men of progressive tastes tbao to ace
the seemingly ungracious part of obstructing
th^m. And yec, apareciating as we all do the
urgency of i he present citsis, we must leave to
trios- whose privilege it shall be to legislate in
more auspicious days any laig* share of this glory,
and be content to act the humbler, less brilliant
but not less useful part ot lesssning f ne pecuniary
burdeas of the people.
I hope I no not ovr.rsiep the pioprieties of my
position anil of this occasion in maKing these
simple suggestions. I make th u m because it
seems to me that, they cannot be too of ten re-
peated and because we cannot be too deeply im-
pressed witn a sense of the imponance of the
auties devolving upon us. To be intrusted
by one's fellow citizens witQ a share in the
petformance "f these dunes is no ordinary
noncr. The interests committee to our care
in manv respects more nearly affect the
welfare ami happiness of the p-ople than
those given to the charge of more ioposiug legis-
lative bodies. And tnough it is commoi in some
quarceis to decry the merits of m Q mbe:s ot the
City Government, and to impute to them motives
of self-interest in seeking or accepting seats there-
in, I am convinced, speaking fivm an experience
of three yea.-s 'u this body, that the aspirations of
its memceis are laudable aspirations to a far
f;reater extenc than they are poaifarly ctec ited
or; that as a general rule they a>e actuated by a
desne t i promo e ine public eal rather than to
subserve merely private interests; that the <-rrors
they commit are triors "f judgme _t oftener than
ertors of disposition; tbat their differences are
more frequently as to means th An as to end : ; and
that (lie divisions which occur are usually occa-
sioned, not by the one side, seeking to advance and
the other being wild, g to disregard the interests
of the people, but rather by liffeiences of opinion
as to the best methods of promoting i hose interests.
Whatever judgments may nave been passed upon
pi evioas City Councils, toe highest anticipations
are entertained by our citizens as tothit which is
inaugurated today, both because of the character
of the genilemeo who constitute it and because it
is felt that tDe Municioal Government of Boston
for the centeumal year ought naturally to be ot a
supeiior order. Plea-ant memoiies are retameU
by us all of the part taken by our city lart y e r in
toe observance of toe ore hundredth anniver-ary
of the bat.le of Bunker Hill, and of the influence
which that observance had in stimulating the pa-
triotic sentimems not only of our own citizens, but
of tnoseof all sections of our common country. The
present year is to be made memotable bv toe cen-
tennial celebration of anotber gr?at historic event.
The city of Boston -*ill doubtless do its full nait
towaid's fitly honoring that occasion. But what-
ever may be its share in the coming anniversary,
whatever may be formally done by its citizens or
its Government, theie is one contribution which
this City Couucil can appion:iately furnish with-
out any extra appropriation aod wiv.bout going
out of its usual cours". While private citizens
and public bodies are sending to Philadelpnia
specimens of their industrial and mechanical
skill, of the arts and sciences in *hich they excel,
and of the other possessions and attainments in
which they take a just pride, this City Govern-
ment can supply a specimen of another character.
During the century whose close is this year to be
signalized upon so grand a scale, the system of
government by the people has been on trial in
this country. In watching the workings of that
system its friends have found in the governments
of large cities their greatest cnuse for apprehen-
sion and anxiety. If it can be allotted to tne citv
of Boston, among the other Cenrenniel exhibi-
tions, to be able to point to its existing City Coun-
cil as a model Municipal Government, as a speci-
men of "a government of the people, for the peo-
ple and bv the people." in successful and satis-
factory operation, as a livir g proof that the prin-
ciples piocliimed in Independence Hail on the
Fourth of July, 1776, had been apolied
with success to the administration of the
affairs of at least one greai city in the
land, it will have made a contribution to the Cen-
tennial Exposition pertinent to the occasion, cred-
itable to the city <urd to us, and one which will
cheer the hearts of all men who are interested in
the success of republican institutions. And
among the hoiors which may oe in store for any
6
COMMON COUNCIL,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
JANUARY G, 1876.
Regular weeVly meetiue at 7*4 o'clock, J. Q. A
Bractcett, President, in tbe chair.
On motion, Mr. Devereux of Ward 4 was ap-
pointed a committee of one co conduct Mr. Loring
of Ward 24. to be qualified, which duty he per-
lormtd and R\r, Lonni; took bis seat.
PAPERS FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Order authorizing heads of departments and
boards of direction io the several branches of the
( itv Government to submit theii reports in print.
Read twice and pas*f d in concurrence.
Certificat- ot tlectioa of Aldermen Clifk, Steb-
bms *nd O Brien, on part of Board of Aldermen,
of Committee on Accounts. Placed on file.
PETITIONS PBESENTED.
By Mr. Flycn ot Ward 13— Petition of John T.
Ca^ey, rtpresenti g that be received r^e next
lnghe ;t number ot votes cast tor Councilruen in
Ward 12, and 'hat Mr. chaw is tot rightfully enti-
tled to toe seat he now nolds for the reason that
he was n it at the time of his election, nor has he
been sitc( the 1st < f May, 1875, a qualifiei voter
or inhabitant of said Ward 12. foe petitioner
asks Mat the ee it be declared vacant a nd given to
him.
By Mr. Sprague of Ward 10— Petition of A. H.
Lauten et al., for recount "f vot°s iu Ward 14.
By Mr. Sibley of Ward 5— Petition of John Mc-
B?rron tor recount of votes for Councilman in
Ward 19.
Sevciallv referred to the Standing Committee
on Elecuoos.
RECOUNT OF VOTES.
Mr. Devereux submitted reports from the
Siancing Committer on Elections as follows:
Repjrt on petition of D. C. Bates et al. fot re-
cotn t of vote for Councilman in Ward 20, ilia: the
following is the lesult:
William G. Train had 775
Joseph Morrill, Jr 606
Joseeh Morrill 2
Morrill, Jr 1
James B. Graham 5J5
Nathan iS. Wilbur 290
N. S. Wilbur 225
J. Henrv Sears 392
E. D. Whitcomb 359
E. Whitcomb 1
George J. Coyle 331
John Holden 1
James Morse 1
George E. Foster 1
Nathaniel J. Bust 1
N. J. Bean 1
L. B. Hiscock 1
Phineas B. Smith, jr 1
Acid it appeais that the merabeis now occupying
scats at this board «=re entitled to the same. Ac-
ceoted.
Report on petition of T. Lillie Mercet et al. for
recount of votes for Councilman in Ward 7, that
the following is the result:
James O' Donnell had 390
J. O'Donnell 4
Daniel uohertv 369
Joseph Doherty 347
Doherty 1
Michael Lvons 2KK
Richard Roa^h 277
R. Roach 1
Roach 1
John Morrisoa 227
J. Morrison 1
Samuel H. Wentworth 214
Samuel B. Krogman 192
James Wight 1H1
Orran G . Cil ley 74
(). G.Cilley 1
DanW Ruby 57
D. Ruby 1
Ruby 1
R.J. McDermott 54
Rat. J. McDermott 14
Patrick J . McDermott 6
P. McDermott 2
Geo. W. Foster 28
IVichitiel Barr 4
William Taylor 3
H. H. Sprague 3
Albus R. Gushing 3
John A. Smardon 3
Anthony E. Daly 2
O. S. Currier 2
Pat. Burke 1
Charles Car: 1
Albert E. Proctor 1
Jame9 McDermott 1
And it appears that the members now occupy-
ing the seats are entitled to ihe same. Accepted.
JOINT RULES AND ORDERS.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5 submitted the following
(Citv Doc. 7):
Ihe joint speeiel committee appointed to nre-
pare rules i. nd ordeis for the government of the
City Council during the p.tseut municipal year,
having considered the subject, would respeci fully
recommend that the following chances be made
in tbe rules and orders of the last City Council,
namely:
Section 1. Striking out the Committee on A r-
moties and Military Affairs, the daties of that
committee haviig been transferred by -U.ute to
the Board of AHermen.
Reducing the Committees on Public Lands and
Survey anj Inspectiou of Buildings fiom eight to
five members. Proviaing for the appointment of
a Joint Standing Committee on the City Regis-
trar's Deoar^ment, consisting of two Aider men
and three members of the Common Counci'.
Sect. 4. Stiike out the word "defend" and in-
sert the wo/d "i^oresent," and transpose the
words "citv" aud "interests," and insert tba word
"of" so chat the line will read "interests of the
ci'y."
Sect. 14. Add the folio • ing: "No otd«r or vote,
wi.icb is not in the form ot an oroinance, shall
have ihf effect to amend, suspend, or repeal any
ordinance."
Sect. 16. Striking out all from the beginning of
said secion to the wort "whenever" in the sixth
line of the pocket edition, and insert toe follow-
ing:
'In the present tnd every future finai cial year,
the specific aopropiiation for the ssveral objects
ent merated in the general appropriation or ier
shall be deemed and taken co be the maximum
amouit to be expanded by tbe several commit-
t-es. boards and officers havina the charge there-
of, for the entire financial year, and shall be ex-
pended with a proper regard thereto."
Sci. 19. Iuseit after 'he word "no" io the
first line the .vords "presiding officer of any ooard
or."
Sect. 20. Insert after tbe word "bill*" in tbe
third lioe of the cocket edition the words "shall
specify in detail the cames of the members to
wnocu such ref -eshments or carriages were fur-
nished, the dates of furnishing the same, and";
also by ftrikicg out the words "Committee on
Acoounts -hall noc pass any bill" 10 the eighth
ana nu th baes, and insert "the following: "and
the Auditor ot Accounts shall not receive or pass
any -^uch bill for the approval of the Committee
on Accounts."
Alio bv inserting in the third line after the
w..ro "the" the words "presiding officer of a
board or"
Adding the following section:
22. fhe foregoing rules shall not be altered,
amended, suspended or repealed at any time, ex-
cept by the voces ot cwo-thir.is ot the members of
each branch of the City Council.
Tbe accompanying order covers the proposed
chang-s, and your committee would raspectfully
lecoaoinenil its passage.
Solomon B. Stebbins.
Francis Thompson.
Edwin Sibley.
Henry H. Sprague.
Benjamin Pope.
Mr. Howes ot Ward 18 moved that the report
and order be laid on tbe tsble till nezt week.
Mr. Siol-y of W"ici 5 said the only obj^ctioo to
that was their adopiion tonight *ouli enable the
Mayor to appoir t trie committe-s next Monday.
Mr. Howe* said ihere were several important
changes which should ht • onsidered, but not
wishing to delay business be would witndiaw
the .notion to tame.
Mr. Traio of Ward 21 thought the subject too
important to ait upen toi ight, and renewed the
motion to table.
Mr. Sprague of Ward 10 said it was desirable to
have the committees aopointed next Monoay. The
changes prooosed could be easily understood.
Mr. Train suggested thac a comparison with the
ru'es of last year was desirable, which would re-
quire time.
Mr. Shaw ot Ward 12 desired a chance to cot-
JANUARY 6, 1876
sider the subject, and Mr. Sprague said the com-
rnitree had r o desire to press the matter.
Tne older was laid on the table.
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS.
Committee on Accounts. Mr. Peabody of Ward
11 submitted a report recommending the election
of Jaoies J. Flynn ot Ward 13, J. Augustus Felt
of Ware 18, Osborn Howes, Jr., of Waid 18, Ben-
jamin Pope ot Warn 15, and John Sweetser of
Ward 17, as members of ihe Committee on Ac-
counts on tie part of ths Council. The report was
accepted.
Suosequently, on motion of Mr. Kingsbury of
Ward 19, an election was ordered, aud Messrs.
Kiugsbuiy <f Ward 19, Adams of Ward 5, and
Woodbury of Ward 12 were appoioted a commit-
tee to leceive, sort and count votes. Thay re-
ported-
Whole number of votes 66
Necessary to a choice 34
James J. Flynn 59
J. Augustus Felt 65
Osborn Howes, Jr 65
Benjamin Pope 66
John Sweetser 65
Curtis Guild 2
Guild 1
And Messis. Fiynu, Felt* Howes, Pone and Sweet-
ser were declaien elected.
Committee on Finance Mr. Paiker of Ward 21
submitted a report recommend': g the election of
Messrs. Francis H. P< aoodv ot Ward 11, Eugene
H. Samp -on of Ward 17, Levi L. Willcutt of Ward
23, Fraacis Jaques of Ward 11, Curds Guild of
Ward 9, I'hmenas J. Stone, Jr., of Ward 3, and J.
Wilder May of Ward 21, as members of the Com-
mittee on Finance on the part of the Couuci!. The
repo t was accepted.
Subsequeutly, oa motion of Mr. Parkei, the
Council proceeded to au election, and Messrs.
Paikerof Ward 21, Frazer of Ward 6 aud Ruffin
ot Ward 9 were appointee a committee to collect
and coui t votes. They reported as follows:
Whole number of votes 69
Necessary for a choice 35
Francis H. Peabody had 68
Eugene H.Sampson 68
Levi L. Willcutt : 68
Francis Jaques 66
• Curtis Guild 68
Phinehas J. Stone, Jr 67
J. Wilder May 69
George L. Ruffin 2
Marcellus Day 1
And Messrs. Peabody, Sampson, Willcutt, Jaques,
Guild, Stoui and May were declared elected.
Certificates sent up.
THE CUSTOM OF APPOINTING NOMINATING COM-
MITTEES.
Mr. Morrison of Waid 11 offered toe following:
Resolved, That it is the sense of the City Coun-
cil that the custom of appointing committees for
the purpose of nominating the various neads of
departments in The City Government suould be
dispensed with.
Mr. Morrison of Ward 11— I do not kuow how re-
cently this practice has obtained in the City
Council, ot appointing committees to make nomi-
nations of t'eads o' departments; but certainly it
never was so aeuprai since I have been in the
Common (Jcuocii until last year. It seems tome
that it is an entitely useless practice, and means
nothing unless there is a vacancy in an office, and
I do not see the necessity of making these nomina-
tions. We always leceive the nominations from
the Board of Aldermen, and we concur or non-
concur, as tht case may be. It seems to be a
waste oi time, labor and marerial to do so. It
makes work for the City Messenger, police officers
and tor those appointed oa trie committees, and
amounts to just oothiue at all. We elect
tiie same persons eveiy yeai. For this reason we
should simplify the matter so as to m»ke it easier
for the Presioeut and all concert ed. This order is
not intended to include any of the elective: offi-
cer.-- — members of the Cochituate Watei Board,
Ovei seers of the Poor or Directors for Public In-
stitutions. Tnose, of course, will have to be nomi-
nated by committee.
Mr. Howes of Ward 18 — How are the names of
the various candidates to be brought before the
Common Council, provided we should disagree
with the Board of Aideimen?
Mr. Sbaw of Ward 12—1 do i.ot know that I ob-
ject to the proposition, but certaiuly I object to
the ai^urneut in favor of it. My worthy xriend
from old Ward 9 — I don't know the new number
and I don't care to— undertakes to say that we
shou'd wait until the nominations come down
from the Board of Aldermen. Why, sir, »shat are
we? Aie we the servants ot the Board ot Alder-
mea? What i> the argument? tnose are the
words— that we should wait until Hi" notninarioas
corny down from the Board of Aldermen. Do. we
come here to represent the people or to be the
servants of twelve meu? lint is the question. 1
never heatd so futile and insignificant an argu-
ment in this bracc'i since I have been a mem-
ber,— now for five years, —that we should
wait until the nominations come do»nfrom the
Board of Aldermen. Have we no indepeodence,
as the representatives of the pro le elected
from the wards, to i epresent their views and in-
terests, or are we mere toadies to another branch
of the City Government? I am astonished, sir,
that any gentleman should lise in his seat with
such an argument. This is the fifth year I have
had the honor to be a member ol the City Govern-
ment, and I n-ver yet, but once, and then at
the request of many me tubers, lose in my
place and introduced an order tor the ap-
pointment of a committee upon nomination. Two
years ago, I was requested to iotroouce an otder
for a committee to nominate a candidate foi Over-
seer of the Poor. I was proud to rise in my seat
and iDtrjduce the oider, auo I was proud to oe
the representative of the people who dssired that
a woman should be placed upon the board or com-
mittee, whichever you may c-,11 it. As cbairmau
of the committee 1 bad the honor to nuroauce
that lady's name.aad 1 had the proud satisfaction
of steing ber electeo in this Council by a large ma-
jority. It went to the other branch and was de-
feated I do not come heie as theseivant of
the Board of Aideimen. I come here as the
independent reoresentativt ot the people, and my
practice nas bee.: in my place to fight for the
righis of toe people, seconoary to nobody else. I
am astonished at the senior member of this
Council, who is one year rny seniot, should lise
here and advocate this measure in the manner he
has— that »f should wait for the lominations of
the Board of Aldermen. 1 hopePth^ order will be
modified so as to make it equal for this board as
well as for the Boaid of Aldermeu in all its pro-
visions, and give ns equal rights with them. That
is all I ask. It is all I claim, and while I bs.ve a
seat m this Counjil I shall cUim that right. I hope
toe good sense of this Council will oppose any
such ordei as that'.
Mr. Morrison of Ward 11 — Perhaps I used that
expression without thougnt. But 1 think the
gentleman will recollect that all these elective
officers have been first chosen by the Board of
Aldermen auo then sent down. 1 simply meant
that I do not care where they are elected first. I
believe that the resolution does not give the Board
of Aloermtn au.v more power to elect these
officers than it eives the Common Council.
I think it is the impression of the City Council
that the practice should be abolished as a cum-
be'Somd thing. That is all I mean. The gentle-
man sa'.s tie is astonished that toe senior member
has used such an argument. I did not know
that the gentleman could be astonished. I cer-
tainly uo not see anything to be astonished at. It
is as simple as can be— it is to abolish this practice;
but if the ruembfrs do not see fit to do it, all right.
The resolution was passed to a second reading
by a rising vote — 39 tor and 21 against — and was
passed.
Later in the session Mr. Willcutt of Ward 25
moved a reconsideration ot the vote whereby
the resoluti >n was passed. He said, I think the
resolution was passea under a misapprehension.
I prefer, as a general thing, not to diffei from the
geutleman from Ward 11 in regard to the matters
which he may bring before the Council; but in
this case I think it would be better for the Council
to continue in the same course heretorore pur-
suea in previous yeais. It is well known
that these commiaees will have an opportunity
to consider the qualifications of the candidates
brought before them for the respective positions.
I think that witn a Council composed largely of
new membeis, the lecommendations of such com-
mittees will have great weight. I think the gen-
tleman will see that there is a propriety in the re-
consideration of the vot°, and that the usual
course may be taken in such cases.
The reconsioeratnon prevailed, and the question
was again upon the passage of the resolution.
Mr. Firth of Ward 16— It seems to be taken for
granted that all of us understand this matter.
The gertleman who made the mot'on originally
spoke of the change having been made last year by
8
COMMON COUNCIL,
the City Council, but. no one has told us what the
custom was before then, aim because of thai I did
not give any vote upon the question. Neither caa l
now, unless some gentleman will give the Infor-
mation I have indicated.
Mi>. Morrison ui Ward 11— I did not state that
there was any change mat e bv 'he Couocil. I
stateil, or mte )de i t" state, that :ome fifleen or
twentv year- ago, when i wis in *he Council, th-,se
nominating coma Ittees were not appointed. If I
am oot greatly mistaken, a motion was made to
proceed to the el«ctioj of any of th 83 officers, at
Chepioper time, and the Council elected them
without nominations. No committee was ever
appointed coromira'e candidates for the posi-
tions. I stated that last year w ■ the first nme
since I hive had a seac in ihe Council »Deo the
committees to make i oniioations were appointed.
Mr. Jaques ot Ward 11 — I am inclined to think
that ihe resolution i. unnecessary ^t the presenc
time I sympathize vvuh my colleague in the 00-
ject he wishes to reach by the resolve, and I would
say a word in explanation in ansivei t > the gtntle-
man from Ward 16. The custom which it is
proposed to abolisn is supposed to have been
abused in past years. Under tne custom of
appointing nominating committees, it has been
usual tor any ouo to jump up and catch
the eye of the President, ana offer an
order, and the geotleman so fortunate as
to get the floor was made the chairman of the
committee to make nominations. Thit commit-
tee usually consisted of three on the part ot the
Council, and in many cases their duties were en-
tirely perfunctory. They simply had to nominate
a mau who -verybodv in toe Council under-
stood was to be elected. In other cases these
committees might nomiuate men ?jho were not
the best candidates for the offices, and a member
might try to get upon a committee for tbat pur-
pose. It is that custom which influBnced my
colleague to offer the resolution . But by the resolve
passed at the first meeting, to which the Presi-
dent has alluded, and has exoressed his intention
to follow out, it does not follow that the gentle-
man offering the order shall be upon the commit-
tee.
Mr. Gray of Ward 14— If I undeistand the order
offered by the t>eat1eman from Ward 11, it is to
do away with the trouole of having committees
come here to City Hall to work upon that upon
wbich we all agree. It is the custom 10
have these committees appointed to nominate
candidates for offices about which tbsre
is no question. Take the Superintendent of
Stieets and of Public Institutions, for instance. I
do not suppose a membei of the Council here
thinks any change necessary , or that we need a
committee for that purpose. Those who ars ap-
pointed upon the committee get notice at their
houses; they leave tbeir business and come here,
aod m two minutes agree that the chairman shall
report such a man as the nominee for the
office of Superintendent of Streets. The
time is spent foolishly and nothing is
done for the beietit of tli3 city. The
city ordi"Esnce provides that within sixty days the
Supeiinteudent shall be elected; and in cast eve
do not appoint a committee, the City Messenger
will prepare ballots for the piesent incumbent.
If any gentleman desires to oppose trie election of
an officer, he can prenare ballots aad get up here
and stat- the reasons for his opposition. I do not
see the necessity ot taking up our time and call-
ing us bera to City Hall to do what we are all
agreed upon.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9— It se^ms to me that ic is
bad to lay down a aeneral rale for soch cases. In
some instances it might be desirable to have com-
mittees wuen new officeis are ctiosen, but I should
think it hardly advisable to pass a resolve not to
have nominating committees. I agree, with the
gentleman that in many cases committees are not
necessary, and the onlt excuse for their appoint-
ment is thai the members may have a din .er at
the expense of the city; but there are cases in
which nominating committees are aesit able. Last
year it might have been considered discourteous to
a gentleman offering the order not to have put him
upon the committe- ; but this year ary one offer-
ing the order need not expect to be pat upon the
committee. If the majoncy of the Couocil con-
sider rhat toe officer is not a proper one for
the position, a committee can be appointed. I
think it is hardly desirable to lav down a general
rule one way or the other, out that we should act
according to the circumstances in the case.
The resolve was rejected.
BILLS TO HE APPROVED.
Mr. Klvnn ot Ward 12 offered the foil' wirg:
Ordered, That the President of the Common
Council be authorize by the Common Courcil to
approve bills tor expenses Ucuned by the
standing coiumi'tees of the Co.'-.mon Council not
having .charge of a appropriation of money; al«o
by individual members of th-. Common Council
while engaged in the discharge of official duties;
the amount ot said bills to be charged to ihe Ap-
projjriaiion tor Contingent Kund, Common Coun-
cil.
Laid on the table, on motion of Mr. Pe*body of
Ward 11, who de.-ired lime to consider it in con-
nection with the rule:: and orders.
RETRENCHMENT IN SALARIES AND EXPENDI-
TURES.
Mr. Cray of Ward 14 offered the following:
Ordered, That a c ommitte- of five on the part
ot this Council, wito such as the Board of Alder-
men may join, be authorized to investigate the
matter of salaries paio bv the ciiy, and all other
expenditures, ana report what reirencha-ent, if
any, can judiciously be mile; said committee to
report previous to action being taken or toe part
of the City Council on the General Approoriation
bill.
Mr. Gray— Perhaps it would be oroper to explain
in a few words my object in offering the order at
this time, though, of course, I will not undeitake
to sive all i he reasons for ir. The principal reason
is that gentlemen know that the public feel that
rhe expenses of the city of Boston are larger than
they should be at the present time, and it seems to
me that it would be perfectly proper to have a
committee to investigate this matter, and make a
general report before ihe appropriation and
salary bills come to us. We could then vote
more intelligently upon those mattets. I don't
wish to take anything from the Committees on
Finance and Salaries, and I hope they will go on
the same as if the order had not coin? in. But I
think if we could have a tiood committee appoint-
ed to go torough all rhe departments and see
where any extra expense could be cui down this
year and then report to the City Government, we
could "ote more understandiogly when the appro-
priation bill comes in than otherwise.
The order was lead a second time and put upon
its passage.
Mr. Guild of Ward 9— The order reads "and all
other expenditures." Isn't that rather a bioad
expression ? Is it to simply cover the salary Dill
or to include "all other expendi'utes"?
Mr. Gray— I know it is broao, but that is my in-
tention. I am in hopes this committee will go in-
to the whole matter. A.s I understand, it is the
custom for a number of departments to ask for a
large] approppiation than is necessary, and
I don't believe we want that don.i this
year. I have been informed ibac one
of the departments last year asked foi §70,000 tnoie
than their high st estimate, thinking t might be
cutdownwhen the appropriation bill came up;
but it ■vas not cut (low , and they got$70,000 more
than they needei. I believ. that this is the year
for retrenchment and to save everytuing ws can
to the tax payers, and that 19 mv object. I don't
propose to have the committee dic f ate what
the departments chad ask for, and I don't
propose to interfere with the Committee on
Salaries; but I believe that a commit-
tee of this kind could ex> into the de-
partments, tell them the feeling of th3 Council
and ask them to p it then estimates down to the
lowest cent that the work of the city cao be car-
ried on for. Such a commitiee woulo give us
some information which I think would he of ad-
vantage when we come to act on tne approoria-
tion bill. Then, another reason is ihe matter of
salaries. If the City Council intend to cut down
salaries— and I think that some should b-. cut
down — Ithi'kicis proper that the men should
know it before they are elected to the offices, and
if tbey don't wish the salaries we fix they can sav
so. I think it is more proper to cut down the
salaries of city officers before they ate elected
than afterwards.
Mr. Jaques of Ward 11— I coincide with very
much that the gentleman from Ward 14 has saia.
What he says in regard to the necessity of re-
trenchment has been frequently repeated, both in
the Mayor's message and in t lie remarks of gen-
tlemen at the previous meeting. But I doubt the
policy of making such a committee as he pi oposes.
One objection is that the appropriation bill mignt
not be reported on in the course of the year. He
JANUARY 6, 1876
9
pays tlie committee should look into all the
expenditures of the Government, and ttiat
would make it difficult to set the appro-
priation bill before us within the next six
moDths. It would also be a serious embarrass-
ment to the standing committees on Salaries
and Finance, <vbo are appointed to cover that very
ground. Those corouiittees have power to
call tbe beads of depaitraetts before them,
and frequently do so, in order to ask advice; and
tbev make up their minos accordingly. In mak-
iug'up tbe appropriation bill, the Finance Com-
mittee meet tne chairmen of tbe different com-
mitttees, and the subject is gone over entirely.
It seems to me that it would be putting another
set of men va cbe puce of the usual committees,
and I don't see that they would be asy better for
tbe work tDan the ones' regularly appointed for
the purpose. I hope the order will not pass.
In going over the list of new rules and orders
repotted tonight, I notice that there are about
twentv-thiee joint committees who are specially
charged with taking care of appropriations of
money. Tbis special committer would directly or
indirectly pet form the chief functions dc-volving
upon these twenty-three standing committees.
They are to see that the expenditures are kept
down to the lowest point; I think the geotle.man
expects too much ot one committee: while I be-
lieve in economizing, I think it would be far bet-
ter to have some special resolution referred to
each committee to see tbat the appropriations are
placed at the smallest possible amount by wbich
the departments can be carded on in aii official
manner.
Mr. Peabody of Ward 11— If we pass this reso-
lution will it force the City Council to dclav ac-
tion in regard to the appropriation bills or the
general work of the city?
The President— The Chair is of the opinion that
it would not occasion any delay and would not
prevent tb6 Citv Council from makiug the appro-
priations. The committee would be chargeable
with neglect to do their duty if they did not report
beforo ihat time.
Mr. Shaw of Ward 12—1 like the suggestion
made by ths gentleman from South Boston [Mr.
Gray]. I like tbe idea very much indeed, arid think
it is one of the best propositions that could possi-
bly be made in this Government. We have cone
herewith the understanding that w<? are to re-
trench expenditures, and I believe eveiy gentle-
man here is in favor of the adoption of such
measures. Tbe order is directly to the point, aud
I hope it will be adopted and the committee ap-
pointed, so tbat those who talk about junketing
may have all the information they desire, arid that
tie committee will be able to answer whatever
else tbt-y talk about. I hope the ouler will be
passed, and that whatever retre ichment maybe
adopted *ill be earned out. I think no gentle-
man here ought to oppose the orders
Mr. Gray— The gentleman from Ward 11 speaks
of the several committees having cbar?e of these
differeut appropriations. I don't know but it may
be so now, but it has not bten my experience in
tbis Government. As I remember, the general
appropriation bill h?ts been in charge of the Com-
mittee on Finance. Some one member m^y get
up and say an appropriation is too large and he
may get it cut own ; perhaos two or three mem-
bers may get it cut oown a few items. But as a
general thing the appropriation bill passes
through the Council under the influence of
tbe Committee on Finance, with the City Au-
ditor standing by the President. I know there is
nothing that giv»*s more general dissatisfaction
than the approptiation bill. After the Board of
Aldermen gets through with is that is about all
we have to say about it. I believe it would be a
good thing to'nave a n«w committee aopointed,
though I don't care about beit.g upon it myself.
It struck me that a committee cf the best m-n in
the Council could go through the departments and
make a teport to ns that would give us informa-
tion we would not get from the committees.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9—1 beii°ve it is admitted
that economy is to be the order of the day tbis
year; but it seems to me tobe questionable wheth-
er this is the best way to bring it about. I am
inclined to think that this committee would be
unnecessary, js it rather supersedes and does
away with the duties expected to be performed
by the committees on Fiuauce and Salaries. The
Salary Committee have, properly had the determi-
nation ot what the salaries of city officers should
bf> and to say whether they should be reduced or
increased ; and if we desire tbe commit-
tee to take special pains to reduce the
salaries, an order can be introduced re-
quiring or recommending them to make a
reduction. But if we appoint a special committee
to fix tbe salatles, what has the Standing Commit-
tee on Salaries to do? So, again, in the matter of
approprittions. It is the business of the Commit-
tee on Finance to consider the appropriation bill
and report upon it. Th% appropriation bill
must come before us arid we can instruct the
Committee on Finance to cut everything down to
tbe lowest flguie. I hope they will oo it. We
alw. ys have had a first-rate FiDance Com-
mittee, aod I suppose we shall have
ore rhis year, and it seems to me tbe matte* -
snould properly be left to tnem. If we appoint a
special committee to do that, we will take a great
deal of work from the Finance Committee. It
seems to me we had better not interfere with the
regular working machinery of the City Govern-
ment. Rather let us see that the greatest possi-
ble economy is practiced in all thp departments.
Mr. Guild ot Ward 9 — I fully coincide m tbe
views expressed by th- geutleui^n Iron Ward 14;
but it seems to me that the way in winch the
order is drawn may prevent the carrying out of
tt>" gentleman's ideas properly. If 1 neard the
order roriectly, it i" to investigate the subject of
salaries and ail otner expenditures. As I said in
the fiivc of my remarks, it would require a vast
amount ot labor on the p&rt of any commit-
tee. Then tbe order concludes by requir-
ing the committee to report previous to any
action by the Council with regard to
any expenditures, and as has been expressed by
tbe gent'einan from Ward 11, it would be almost
impossible for us to get the appropriation bill be-
fore us. Perhaps it the word "'all" was left out,
the order would bs a iiftle more acceptable. I
think that a majority of the present Council are
imbued with the idea that tbe policy of closest
economy should prevail in the City of Boston in
1876, and, as has been said, trie committees of this
body will contain such an element of economy,
that, we can saf-ly trust it to them. Therefore,
perhaps it may not be necessary to appoint this
commUtee.
Mr. Ciocker ot Ward 9—1 think the Council are
hardly piepatad to vote upon the order. The sub-
ject involves considerable thought, and it tnaj be
as well to lay it upon the table for further consid-
eration. I move that the order lie upon the table.
Tbe order was tabled.
THE UNPAID COLLECTORS' FEES.
Mr. Shaw of Ward 12 offered the following:
Ordered, That nts Honor th" Mayor be requested
to petition the Legislature no^ in session for the
passage of an act authoiizing the City Council to
pav of the t-x fe>-s w 7 hich accrued pnoi to Sept. 1,
1875, but wbich were not paid into the City Treas-
ury until after that dat' , .$3260, to tlr j persons en-
titled to receive them.
Mr. Shaw — I am perfectly willing that ihe order
shall lie upon the table. It i^> in the interest of
equity and justice, and although it may not be
strictiv legal, in the otinion of his Honor the
Mayor, probably with tbe pdvice of the Citv Solic-
itor, to pay the Collectors of Taxes that which was
promised thrm,to which they are entitled, and
tor which they rendered service to the city dur-
ing the last year, and which in all com-
mon justice and decency ought to be paid
to them, I am willing to have the order
lie over, that members shall consider the
matter whether it is proper and right to direct
the Mayor to petition the Legislature tor the pas-
sage of an act to pay these men what is due them.
I do not wish this order put through in rash haste.
I have deemed it proper and right to make this
explanation, so that members may understand
the reasons which induced the last Council, or
rather which induced the Mayor, to veto
the order passeja by ths last Council to pay
these men for sei vices rendered. Ic is
necessary to go to the Legislature for an act to au-
thorize the city to r a y these gentlemeu what is
equitably due them.
The oroer was read twice and tnen tabled, on
motioa of Mr- Shaw.
NOMINATING COMMITTEES APPOINTED.
Orders were offered and passed for the appoint-
ment of nominating commitiees, as reported be-
low. Previous to appointing the first committee
the President saio—
In coTformity to the resolution passed at the
last meeting of the Council, the various nominal-
10
COMMON COUNCIL
iug committees will be appointed without xefer-
cnce to the member who often i lie- order; ana in
order to ba tair in the uiattei tn.M'bsir has drawn
up a list ot nominating comuiitttes. The Chair
thought proper to ma*e this statement, as other-
wise gentlemen mav be led to think that some
partiality was shown.
do motion of Mr. Kingsbury of Ward 19-To
nominate members of the Cochituate Water
Boara— Messrs. Sweetser of Ward 17, Snay of
Ward 19 ana Stor.e of Waid S.
On motion of Mr. Felt of Ward 18— To nominate
Directors ot Kast Boston ferries— Messrs. Morri-
son oi Ward 11, Tayloi of Waul 2 and Sampson of
Ward 17.
On motion of Mr. Taylor of Ward 6— To nomi-
nate a Harbor Master— Messrs. Beechlng of Ward
1, Pope of Ward 14 and O'Donoell of Ward 7.
On motion of Mr. Waloridge of Ward 15- To
nominate Superintendents of Bridges— Messrs.
Walbridge of Ward 15, Kelley of Ward 3 and Ham
of Ward 14.
On motion ot Mr. Sampson of Ward 17— To nomi-
nate a Superintendent of Common .'lid Squares-
Messrs. Crocker of Ward 9, Trull ofWaid5and
Peirce of Ward 18.
On motion of Mr. Willcutt of Ward 23— To nomi-
nate a City Surveyor— Messrs. Shaw ol Ward 12,
Websrer of Ward 1 and D. Doheity of Ward 7.
On motion of Mr. Beeching of Waid 1— To nom-
inate Weighers and Inspectors of Ballast -Messrs.
Devereuxof Ward 4, Davis of Ward 16 and Rob-
bins of Ward 2.
On motion of Mi. Tiam of Ward 20— To nomi-
nate Trustees of Mt. Hope Cemetery— Messrs.
Cushiug of Ward 10, Flynn ot Ward 13 and lick-
nor of Ward 23.
On motion of Mr. Curtis of Ward 23— To nomi-
nate a City Messenger [Mr. Ho»es of Ward 18
hoped the order would be voted down and an
election oidered in this case for the next meeting]
—Messrs. Rice of Ward 22, Kingsbury of Ward
19 and Adams of Ward 5.
«)n motion of Mr. Sioley or Waid 5 (the order
being first taken from the table)— To nominate
Directors tor Public Institutions— Messrs. Will-
cutt ot Ward 23, Sprague of Ward 10 and Loring
of Ward 24.
On motion of Mr. Sweetser of Ward 17— To nom-
Trustees of Public Library— Messrs.Train of Ward
20, Siblty of Ward 5aud.Newtoo of Ward 2i.
Oo motion of Mr. Janues of Ward 11— To nomi-
nate Trustees of City Hospital— Messrs. Jaques of
Waid 11, Osborne ot Wart) 12 and Howes of Ward
18.
On motion of Mr. Howes of Ward 18— To romi-
nate a C.ty Solicitor— Messrs. May of Ward 24,
Kuffin of Ward 9 and Day ot Ward 3. Mr. Crocker
of Ward 9 thought this a case where a committee
is unnecessary. Mr. Howes replied that he in-
troduced thfe oioer to see it the Council intended
to appoint nominating committees for all city
officers, and he thought the City Solicitor would
be the pi op< r officer to select for that purpose.
On motion of Mr. Newton of Ward 21— To nom-
inate Superintendent of Streets— Messrs. Sibley of
Ward 5, Moniil of Ward 20 and Mulleo of Ward 13.
On motion of Mr. Osborne of Ward 12 — to nom-
inate Superintendent of Common Sewers — Messrs.
Woodburv of Ward 12, Blodgett of Ward 8 and
Taylor of Ward 6.
On motion ot Mr. Morrison of Ward 11 — To
nominate a Citv Architect — Messrs. Parker of
Ward 21, Firth of Ward 16 and Spenceley ot Ward
19.
On motion of Mr. Gray of Ward 14 — To nominate
a Superintendent of Public Buildings-- Messrs.
Gray uf Waid 14, Shepard of Ward 4 and Blancb-
ard of Waid 21.
Oo motion of Mr. Sampson of Ward 17, the
Council adjourned.
11
BOARD OF ALDERMEN,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen,
JANUARY 11, L876.
Regular meeting at four o'clock I\ M., his honor
the mayor presiding.
juuoits nn.uvN.
Ten traverse jurors v.ere drawn for the Superior
Criminal Court.
BULBS ami OBDEBS OF ALOE It MEN.
Aldetman Barrage submitted a reoort from the
Special Committee on Rules and Oi der., of thi
Board of Al lermeu, le'jomint. tiding ihe passage of
the to lowing :
Ordered, 1'h at the rules and orders of th° Board
of Aldermen of 1875 he adopted as the rules and
oroers of this Board, with tne following amend-
ments :
In section 6, strike out from the last clause of
the second paragraph th°. word "ordinances"; in
section 11, in two places insert "regular" between
"next" and "meeting" ; in section 23, in the prop-
er place insure "■rtncr.es and military affairs."
Also insert the following new section :
Section 29. No peisou except a member of th<«
Board sh«ll be o.rmittea ro occuoy the seat of any
member while the Board is in session.
Aitei the nuoDber of (he eooc'udiog section to
"30."
Read twice and passed.
standing committees.
The Mayor announced the fallowing standing
comm'ttt-es:
Standing Com milters of the Board of Aldermen.
Armories— Aldermen O'Brien, Thompson, Burn-
ham.
Bridges— Aldermen Burnham, Whidden, Hull.
County Accounts— Aldermen Stebbins, Bigelow,
Pope.
Fanauil Hall and Conutv Buildings — Aldermen
Pope, Clark, Whiddeo.
Lamps— Aldermen Stebbi as. Burrage, Thompson.
Licenses— Aldermen Bieelow, Stebbins, Vilef.
Maikets, Weignts and Measures— Aldermen
Burrage, Sampson, Hull.
Pav-ing— Aloeimea Bigelow, Buna e, "Whidden.
Police— Aldermen C'a'k, Buriag-., Bigelow.
Sewers — Aldermen Viles, O'B.-ien, Burnham.
Steatn Engines— Alderman Vilts, O'Bnen. Hull.
Streets —Aldermen Clark, Burrage, Thompson
Joint Standing Committee of the City Council.
Assessois' Department — Aldermen Whidden,
Hull, Sam t. so -j.
Batmng — Aldermen Pont, Samp^ou, Buruham.
City Registrar's Department — Aldermen Bur-
rage. Viles.
Claims— Aide/men O'Brien, Stebbins, Thomp-
son.
Common and Public Gtounds—Aldermen Clark,
Bigelow, Pope.
Ea-t Boston Ferries— Aldermen Viles, Stebbins-,
Sauipsoa.
Engineer's Depaitment— Aldermen Hull, W aid-
den.
Eire Depaiment — Aldernen Burcham, Bigelosv.
Fstl— Alder n en Pope, O'B.ien.
Harbor— AUlerm.^Q Burraze, Sampson.
He-iltb — Aide. men Vilc-s, Burnham.
City Hospital — Aldermen Burrage, O'Brien.
Public Institutions— Alderms.. Thompson, Pope,
Sampson.
Mt. Hope Ceuieteiy— Aider jnen Bun-ags, Bige-
low.
Legislative Matters — Alderman Stebbins,
Thorn a son.
Ordinances — Aldsrmen WhiddPii, Bige'ow,
O'Brien.
Overseetsol the Poor— Aldennen Hull. Whidden.
Public Buildings — Aldermen Pope, Clark, Whid-
den.
Public In truction — Aldermen Bigelow, Steb-
bins, rhomoKOo.
Pubic Lands— Aldermen O'Brien, Stebbins.
Printing — Aldermen O'Brien, Hull.
Public Libiary — A'dermen Thompson, Hull,
Burn nam.
Sal Ties— Alerme.n Sampson, Burrags.
Streets— Aldennea Claik, Burrage, Thompson.
Surveyor's Department — Aldermen O'Brien,
Burrage.
Survey *nd Inspection of Buildi; gs— Alder aien
Sampsou, Hull.
Treasury Department— Aldermen Bigelow, Bur-
rage.
Water— Aldermen Stebbins, (lark, Bigelow.
The Mayor— The Board will observe that the
Chair has appointed out two Aldermen upon the
Committees oi 1'ublic Lands and the Survey and
Inspection of Buildings. This i> m consideration
of the tact i hat an order is now penning in the
oilier branch for a reduction ot tno^e committers
from eight to five.
EASTERN RAILROAD TRACKS.
The following was received, read, and referred
to the Committee on Paving:
Executive Department, )
Jan. 10, 1876. f
To the Board of Aldermen of the OUy of Bos-
ton: Gentlemen— ine enclosed communication
fiom the president of ihe Eastern Railroad Cor-
po«atiou is herewith transmitted for your consid-
eration. This communication ha3 been received
in respo se <o a request made by me to the presi-
dent and directors of saio corporation, in compli-
ai ce with au order passe i by your Board. Dec. 13,
1875, that they would le-lo >ate toeir tracks situated
in East Boston. Samuel C. Cobb, Mayor.
Office of the Eastern Railroad Company, i
Boston. Dec. 27, 1875. \
To the Hon. Samuel C. Cobb, Mayor ot Boston—
1 hereby acknowledge the receipt of your com-
munication of Dec. 15, 1875, transmittirg a copv
t.f an order of the Board of Aldermen of Boston,
and reauesting the pie-ideit and dntctors of
tne Eastern Railroad Company to te-loca'.e their
tacks in East Boston, according to a plan maue
by Joseph P. Davis and dated Sept. 28, 1874; aud
it. behalf of the company lejJy as tollows:
The re location proposed was discussen before
tne Railroad Committee ot the Legislature of
1X75, and tot recommended by tbem. The
Directors at tnat time fullv co. s.derel it,
and att> convinceo that whil-, the change would
cause them gieat immediate expense, whic:> they
are not pi -pared >o encounter, and would also re"-
su tin very serious and lastug injury- to their
corporation, the public annoyance, wbicn it was
inteuded to cuiv is temporarv and wi'l shortly
tisippear, as that portion of East Boston, east of
Ueir tiaek--, changes from a place of residence to
a place ot business. Besides the. construction of
>he Revere B Q ach Railroad across tne proposed
track has addeo. a source of danger quite as seri-
ous as ttiat sougit to be avoided. Boi these lea-
sons the director-, are unwillicg to cniply with
your reuest.
I am respectively yours,
Samuel C. Lawrence,
Pies. E. R. R. Co.
executive appointments.
Mayor's Clerk— James L. Hillartl. Sent down.
Weigher of Coal — Charles A. Con int.
Special Police Others— Samuel C. Haskell,
Warren avenue Bapti-t Ctiurcn; John H. Sinli-
va , whatVBS c ty procer and East Boston ; John
J. Bourne, William J.Jord.u, Monumein-squate
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Sev rally confirmed.
petitions referred.
To the Joint Committee on Claims. Stephen
H. Taibeil. bondsman tor eotnractoi, to be paiu
f i worb on Fra tis-street Schoolhouse; Stand-
ard Laundry Machinery Compai s, to be cato tor
damages, etc., by infringement o^ patsnt.
To the Committee on Paving. Darius Edc v et
ah, for a plank walk onParkaiau street, Ward 24;
Mary Kell^y, f,r aoatetuent of sidewalk assess-
ment.
To the Committee on Police. Smith, Doolittle
& Smith, to maintain projecting moitars at 26
Tremont street ana at corner of Lexington aud
Marion streets; George R. Reichardt, to maintain
a ptojeeting lantern at3Hayward place; O.Z.Gal-
lagher, to mail tain two ia-ierus remaining in
frout oi Can brta House, 63 Beach street.
'To the Committee on Licenses. Robmron &
Emer on, to run excursion w c gi ns from Haj mar-
ket squat" to Rowe's wharf.
To the Joint Committee on Survey and Inspec-
tion of Buildings. Eiwaril Laliy, to eiect a
wooden building on Short street, Warj 15.
To the Committee on Health on the part of the
Board. Petitioct for leave to occupy stablts—
Benjamin F. Cob'eigh, new wooden, four bores,
Roslin avenue, i ear Washington street; Landers
& Man. old woodei, one horse, Ninth street, cor-
ner E street, Waid 13; Melionolitan Railroad, old
woodeu, six additional noises, Beacon street; D.
JANUARY 10
18 7 6
12
Erniel Althen, new wooder, one hoi e.Gieen
street, off Ca .»1, Ward 24; Bartholomew Mc-
Greevv, new wooden, one hoise, 7 Smith-street
place; John Scales, uew wooden, one horse, Bowe
street; Demas Callahsr, new wooden, one horse,
Tbirustret, Mrs. Kati P. Currier, new wooden,
four horses, Union street.
PAPERS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL.
Order 'o adopt joint i ules aid orders of 1874 un-
til otherwise ordered ; oiaer for copv of Mayor's
address; or oer for preparation cf Munrcipal
Register, etc. Severally passed in concurrence.
Certificate ot appointment of Committee on
Finance. Pi ced co tile.
Orders caiie up tor the appoit ttnent ot joint
special committees to i.o win<tte city offi >ers, etc.,
were passed in co: curreuce and tne committee
wer c joioed as follows:
City Aiehitect— Aldermen Pope, Whiddtn.
Superintendent of Seweis— Aid rtnen Viles,
Burn ham.
Sv:perintendeit o' Streets— Aldermen Big^-low,
Tbomp.-ori.
( ity Solicitor— Aldermen S-ebbms, Viles.
Irust-ts ot City Hos-ital— Alner nen Clark,
Hull.
Irustets of Public Libra ly — Aid neu Bigelow,
Burnham.
Directois for Public Institutions— Aldermen Bar-
iage, Samp -on.
City Messenger — Aldermen Viles, Pope.
Trustees Mo. Hope Cemeteiy— Aldermen Steb-
bins, Thompson.
Inspectors of Ballast and Lighters— Aldermen
Sampson, Burnham.
City Surveyor— Alderrivn Whidden. Clark.
Superintendents of Bi ijg<-s- Alriermen Burn-
ham , Thorn pson.
Superintendent of Commo >, etc.- Aldermen
O'Brien, Bigelow.
Harbor Master— Ahlei men Sampson, Buriage.
On Topics in Mayor's Address— Aide men Bur-
lag , 0'Bri°n.
.VSSISTANC CITY CLERK.
A communication was received from the City-
Clerk giving notice of appointment of John T.
Prre-t as Assistant City Clerk. Sent tlowo.
MONTHLY AND QUARTERLY REPORTS.
Chief of Police. Repot t for quarter ending Dec.
31,1875. Placed on file.
Weighers and Inspectors of Lighters, Receipts,
$926 80; expenses, $39.20. Balance divided by ifl-
cuaibents. Sent down.
Fire Commissioners. Report of fires and alarms
lor December— Total fires, 43; confined to one
building:, 42: ei-timated loss on buildings, $32,721;
on stock, $31,743; till insurance on buildings,
$157,500; on stocK. $182,108. Sout down.
Paymaster of Slate Aid. Report for quarter
ending Dec. 31 — Total nisbursemerits, $19,795;
number of applicants in Octobt r, 1299: in Novem-
ber, 1272; in December, 1279. Sent down.
Auditor of Accounts. Monthly exhibit. Follow-
ing is the state of the appropriations Jan. 1 :
Appropriations,
Revenues, etc. Expended. Unexpended.
General.... $13,826,468.71 $8,805,163.75 $5,021,304.96
Special 4,885,443.16 1,1)07,698.48 2,977,744.68
$18,711,911.87 $10,712,862.23 $7,999,049.64
BRIDGES.
The annual iepor s ot the superintendents of
tbe> various bridges were revived, giving the
fo'lowing statistics of the number of times
the several tuaws have oeen opened during
the vear: Dcevstieet Bridge, 4761; Chelsea-
street Bridge, 29; Federal-street Bridge— days.
4769, nigh >s, 2571, total, 7340; Meridian-street
Bridge, 1368; Maiden Budge, 800; Mt. Wasning-
ton-avenue Bridge, 11,155. Severally sent down.
LAMP DEPARTMENT.
The annual teport of ihe Superintendent of
Lamps (City Doc. 4) was teceived and sent do vn.
The following extracts are taken therefrom:
During the past year a large number of gas
lamps have been aad^d. PromiueLt among the
places which have been lighted may be mention-
ed Blacksione and FranKlin squares, a portion of
East First street, P street, Howard avenue, Sar-
gent street, Eastern avenue and Maiden Bridge;
while large numbers have been distributed over
the various sections of the city, as were required
for the safety and convenience of the public.
Tbe lamps upon the Common have been largely
increased during the year; tbis was deemed
necessary to afford adoitional protection to tin
public who pas; through or tirquent this pleasure
grou d in th evening, i j consequence of com-
plaint* ot improper p.actices and ».• noyaaceo
offered to lespectable people since tbe introduc-
tion of the large number of seats along ill- malls
and paths. In naswer to ihe suggestions made in
tns public pr< s-, that the supply pipes would have
a tendency to injure or Destroy the t ees, it is
proper to remark that no sucb result need be
felled, as the pipe is of the best, quality of
wrought iron, joined bv screw couplings, and
equal to that used in first-class dwellings, and
laid so near the surface of the ground chat the
slightest leak of gas would be instantly detected.
A few additional lamps have b en placed upon
the Public Garden, but t > propeily light tins place
of resort a large expenditure will be reqjued.
Price Paid for Gas for Public Lamps.
City Propet— F've-sixtbs of one cent per hour,
or $2.08y 3 pei thousand f et.
South Bosto —One cent oer houi, or $2.50 per
thousa nl feet.
Ea-t Boston — One cent oer hour, or $2.50 per
tbousaud teet.
Roxbury— One cent per hour, or $2.50 per thou-
sand feet.
Dorchesi t — O e a d two-ten tbs of one cent par-
hour, or $3.00 per thousand feet.
Brookbce — O.ie ami mo-tenths of one cent per
hour, or $3.00 per thousand feet.
Biighton— One anc two-tenths of one cmt per
hour, or $3.00 per thousan > feet.
W. Roxbury — One and two-tenths of one ceat
p;r hour, or $3.00 per thousand feet.
Charlestown— One cent per hour, or $2.50 per
thou, aud feet.
The • umber of men employ "d is 110, and there
are no supernumerary men. The men (ainety-
eigDt in number) who light a.io clean the gas
lamps are pain at the following rates: City proper,
forty men; South Boston, seven men; East Bos-
ton, five men; Charlestown, Six Tien, one and
three-fourth c-nts per lamp per night; while m
Roxbury, eignteen men ; Dorcnester, twelve men;
Brookiine, oiih man; Brighton, four men; West
Roxbury, live mm, ate paid at the rate of one
and sixty--e,\en one-hundredths dollar s j;er day.
The number of gas lamps in tbe city proper is
3980, East Bo-toi. 491, South Bosroo 813, Roxbury
1441, Dorchester 881, Brookline 69, West Roxbury
431, Charlestown 675. Brighton 259— total, 9040. In-
crease in 1875, 620. There are 1053 oil and fluid
lamps in the city , toe sections b;-.vrog the largest
number being East Boston 301, South Boston 219,
Wast Roxbury 283— in all 1053, making a total of
10,093 public lamps in the city, an increase ot 747.
'ihe Financial Condition of the Department.
The balance of appropriation on band from
1874 on tbe 1st of January, 1875, was $135,540.03
There was expended during the remainder of
the financial year t20,949.99
The balance unexpended and transferred to
other appropriations was $14,591.04
The appropriation for the financial year end-
ing on the 30th of April next was $511,500.00
Amount expended to date 345,919.18
Balance unexpended $165,580.82
An amount sufficient to meet all anticipated ex-
penditures of the department for the remainder
ot the financial year.
The committee, consisting of Aldermen Steb-
brns, Burrage and Qui ncy, have during tbe year
made numerous visits to the various sections of
the city, in answer to the petitions of citizens,
and for the purpose of inspecting the public
property.
Tney have generally supervised the purchase of
all material- used in the department, which Dave
been procured in large quantities, with the advan-
tages of the largest discounts for cash.
PARK COMMISSION.
Tbe first report of the Park Commission was re-
ceived and laid on the table, and ordered to be
printed.
The commissioners say that they have at pres-
ent onlv to report progress. They hare given
publrc hearings upon various propositions submit-
ted to tnem, and to some extent have conducted
surveys of territory. The work thus begun they
will continue till tney are prepared to present a
derailed report supplementary to this, and accom-
panied by plans, estimates and recommendations.
Tbe expenses of the commission from Oct. 1, when
they began operations, to Jan. 1, were $1987.81,
leaving a balance of appropriation of $4912.19.
13
BOARD OF ALDEKM E X ,
POLICE DBF Mil'Ml N I'.
The annual repoit of the Chief ot Police (City
Document 5), was rec Ived and Bern do.vo. Fol-
lowing i- a synopsis <>i the principal topics:
Tlic force numbers 700 men, including 580 pa-
tr»lme( f baring a jurisdiction over about 20,000
, ores.
Work of the J'a/irr during the Fear.
\n ,ts 30,448 Lodgers 62,740
Males 24,358 Males 56,688
Females 6,087 hem. Irs 6,052
Americans 11,929 Americans 23,962
Foreigners 18,616 Foreigners 38,778
Non-residents 5,532 ' Ion-residents 18 678
Minors ->.4<-l Minors (i,374
Committed 21,938
rjndei tin' bead 01 Nature of Crime, a/e tbe
following: Adultery, 61; arson, 6; assault od bat-
tery, 2353 ; issault tel >mou<.240; assamtiudec'eit,
«i; assault on an officer, 58; delirium i e men*, 13;
deserters, l >; disorderly, 6320; formication,
127; frauu, 95: gambling, 63; ga Ding on
Lord's <ia\, 107; idle and disorderly, 297;
larceny simple, 1519; larceny felonious, 610; ma-
licious mischief, 307; mans'anguier, to; murder,
15; nightw: iking, 317; perjury, 28; polygamy, 10;
procuring a lorfton, i; rape, 5; receiving stolen
goods, 82; refusing to a'isisi officer, 14; rescuing e
prisoner, 12; robberv, 71; sodomy, 1; stunuorn
children, 97; suspicion of murder, 3; suspicious
persons, 1407; threatening: bodily harm, 56; viola-
tion of city oidinaoc s,644; violation oi toe dog
law, 90; volution of liquoi law,1124; violation of
Sunday law, 247; voting ill-gilly, 1; witnesses,
382.
Nativity of Pi i-oners— United Stats-, 11,799;
Biuis'i Provinces, 1057; Canada, 109; Ireland,
14,001; Englaaa,1158; Franc ,128; Germany, 620;
Italy, 93; Portags 1, 28; Swecleo, 141; 8cotiand 5 396;
Spain, 22; Norway, 38; Switzeriano, 21 ; Denmark,
53; Wales, 18; Belgium, 22; Rusia, 58; Greece, 16;
Poland, 7
Nativity of Lodgar — Unit-.d States, 23,744; Biif-
isli l'i ovine s, 2890; Canada, 362; Ir land, 27.233;
England, 1986; France, 298; Germany, 793; Scot-
land, 1584.
Miscellaneous Business — Accirieuts r<=poited,
1161; boats challei ged, 248; buildings found open
and secured, 3385; dangerous buildings reoorted,
60; dangerous chimneys report, o, 17; dead bodies
found, 115; defective cesspool.- reported, 146; de-
fective drains and vaults reported, 786; defective
fire-alarms and clocks reported, 132; defective gas-
pipes reported, 103; defective hydrants reported,
53; defective lamps reported, 7171; defective sew-
er repoited, 1; defective streets and sidewalks
reported, 6792; defective waterpipes reported, 463;
disturbances suppressed, 11,582; extra duties i er-
formed, 5877; fire alarms given, 353; tires extin-
guished without alarm, 296; intoxicated persons
assisted home, 792; lost children restored, 1308;
resected from drowning, 33; &ick an<i injured per-
sons assisted, 675; stray f: ams i>ut up, 322; street
obstructions removed. 15,3«4; ves els boaided,
329; water runnir g to waste reported, 477.
Amount of property taken from prisoners and
lodgers and restored to them, $58,000.41; amount
of property lepoited stolen m ths city, $65,389;
amount of property recovered hicb was st i'eo in
and out ot the city, $109 824,47; amount of tines
imposed by tee couits, $102,509; amount of im-
prisonment by the same, 2118 years 1 month;
number of days' attendance in court Dy officers,
18,800; amount of witness tees ears ed bj them,
$22,953.87; amount i ceived for dog licences is-
sued, $13,870.
The License Law. On tbe 6tu day of Juiv tbe
officer.- began to [.lace before the mm icipal
courts evidence of violations of the law, and. un-
der ihe supervision of an able attorney appointed
by the Government, complaints have'been made
and warrants issued as follows:
Against
Month. Licensed
Dealers.
July 53
August 45
September 19
October 21
November 12
December 3
Total 153 971 1,124
P For the last six yea*s the ciptains of tbe sev-
eral police stations have repoiUd to this office in
tbe month of December in each ysar the name of
tbe proprietor and ioe location ot all places where
intoxicaemtr liquors weie supposed to be sold;
tnese records si ow as follow* :
Agaiust
Dealers.
403
456
123
168
90
109
149
170
117
129
89
92
Average yearly number of places, 1870 to 1874, in-
clusive 2,764
Number of placet In December, 1*74 3,090
Number of places in December, 1875 (licensed,
1789; unlicensed, 642) 2,411
Note— Of those licensed, r>s places have more than
one license.
The average number of those arr< rted for drunk
enness (exclusive of those; recorded disorderly),
for the last six rnoi tlis of each Of the live years
next preceding the year ls7'<, was 6,092
The number f oi the last six months o( 1874 was... 6,576
The number for the last six month* of 1875 was. .. 5,309
Tbe number of persons arresteo for drunken-
exclusive o I those recoraed disor erly), dur-
Ug each of ths last six month of the ;eai 1874
and 1875, was as foil iws :
.Inly Aug. S>i>t. Oct. Nov. Dec.
1874 923' 1192 1027 1154 1220 1058
1875 821 1013 813 90S 851 876
Number recorded disorderly for last six months in
1874 3335
Number recorded disorderly for last six months in
1875 3458
Th number ot men who have no heme in the
citv, an: ho rave been provided < itb lo grogs
in our station nouses duritf the past veai, ex-
ceeds forty-five thousand, Many of these men
are '"tramos," travelling fr >no place to place, ''Ot
eari ig t i have a h me, and . ieierri )g always ro
betr or ste i ratliei than work, while many among
them are of tb t cl rss who i lace but bttie value
on human li l 'e. Early in the easoo the police
«tie instructed to carefully examine all persons
found bunked out late it night, and to take o t r e
station house for fur her investigation those who
could not give a --aris ctory account of them-
selves. This had th effect to' greatly reduce their
numbers in tb? citv during warm weataer; but
the accommodations of a warm cell in a station
bouse, poor though they be. with th-. other in-
ducement' roucd i(. ci iea, re sure to biinir the
"tramps" Dack in winter.
Tbe repetition of r he bloody deeds and crimes
of tbe most startling character tbtoughout thd
cou ti v during the uast year has uo parallel, and
fortunate ir.deed tbe ei'j oi town chat ha- escaped
the seemiii"- contagion. Howfa this wok can be
traced to the idle tramp, aim what can be dooe
with him, are questions ot a grave character; but
bis return to the ciry. eveu if it does not iocre a e
the catalogue of crime, noes trieatlv reduce the
supplies of charity that would otherwise reach
our own deserving po rr, and revives an impres-
sion of distrust and insecurity.
WJNTHROI' & BOSTON RAILROAD.
A petition was lecPived from the Boston & V\ in-
thtop Railroad, for ao agree m ot upon a location
in this city, and unorder was passed for a Hear-
ing thereon on Monoay, JaT. 31, at 4 o'clock P. M.
REPORT OF CITY SOLICITOR.
The annual report of the City Solicitor was re-
ceived and ordered olaced on file.
CITY CHARTER.
Alder nen Clark offereu the folio !iug:
Ordered, That the draft of the oew city chatter,
which was referred by the last City Cornell to
this Government, be taV en from tn- tiles aad te-
f erred to a joint special committee co sisting of
Aldermen , with such as the Common C >un-
cil may join.
Passeo, and Aldermen Clark, Bigelow and
O'Brien sere appointed on sud committee. Seat
down.
ARMY AND NAVY MOtfPMENT.
Alrermau Pod q offered the following:
Ordeted, Tbat a joint special commi tee to con-
sist of two members ot the Boaid of Aide men,
with such as the Co-union Council may join, be
appointed to have chaige of the traction oi the
Army and Navy Montime t on B'.sion Common, as
provid d in tne co ltiact with Martin Mil more.
Read twice and passed, ^nJ Aldermen Pope ana
Thompson were appointed on said committee.
Sent down.
REPORT OF SEWERAGE COMMISSION.
Alderman Barrage offered the folio vio t:
Orciertd, That iheieoortot th" Commissioners
on Sew-rage, neing City Doc. No. 3 ot 1876, be
referred 10 a joint special commttiee to consider
and report tmereon.
Read twice and passed, aud Alderman Burrage,
Steobins aud Whiduen v\ ere appointed on said
committee. Sent down.
JANUARY 10
1876
14,
UNFINISHED 11USINESS REFERRED.
Aluerman O'Brien offered the following:
0:dered. Taat the several standing couiuuittees
of this Board resume Hie unfr ished business of
tiie last year which >s appropriate to saio eoinimt-
cees.
Read t *.ice aud passed.
WORKS OF ART AT CENTENNIAL.
Alderman Bigtlow offeree the following:
Ordered, That the < < tition of Chail s C. Pei-
kics et al., that the citv would sen;) to 'he Cen-
tennial Exposition somt of the principal works
of art now owned by ic, be taken from the files
and refe reo t . a joi r special eommitt e.
Read twice am passeo, and Aldermen Bigelow
and O'Brien ..err appoi ted o-j said committee.
Sent dov d.
STATUE CF JOSIAH QUINCY.
Alderman Bigelow offeied t'.e following:
Ordered, hat his Honor the Mavor, with Alder-
men , he appointed to take charge of the
erection of *be pio >o3ed statue of Josiah Qui cy,
with all the authority conferre* by an order of
tli" Board of Aldeinjec, passed Oct. 2G, 1875.
R- ad twice and passed. and Alaermen Bigelow,
Chirk and Whii'denw l appointed said commit-
tee.
CELEBRATION OF SEVENTEENTH Ojf MARCH AND
FOUBTB OF JULY.
Alderman Clark offered the following:
Ordered, Tbat the Chairman i id tor. members
ot the Board of Al ermen, with such as the Coin-
mun Council may joiu, b a c mmittee to consider
and report in w'hiu way it ,11 be expadient to
ceiebiate, on thr Seventeenth of March next, the
centennial anniversary uS the "Eva u tiou of
Bo-ton by the British Aimy," »cd on Mi c Fourth
of July next, the ceoteoiial a ■ ni versa i\ of the
Declaration of America l dependence.
Passed, and the Chairman and laermeo Bur-
rage, o'Bncn, Burn ham aad Tbompson were ap-
pointed on said committee. Sunt down.
STATE AID.
Alderman Stebbins offered tut- Following:
Ordered, that a j int special commit ee. to con-
sist of inree members ol the Board of Aldermen,
with such as ihe Common Council may join, be
appointed to d termine and pay tee allowances ot
State aid to the families ot disabled soldiers and
the i'ainilic- of the slain, oursuant to the existing
acts ot the Legislatur ; and that said committee
have powei to employ a paymaster and such
el ui-il ssistance as maybe required For tbat
purpose, and thattbe expeose be ehaiged to the
appropriation for Soldiers Relief.
Read twice and passed, an i Aldermen Steboins,
O'Brieu and Hull were appointe I on said c itnmit-
tee. Sent down.
BILLS TO BE ALLOWED.
Alderman Stebbins effered the foil >witig:
Ordered, That tbs bill of Rest & Bird, amount-
ing t') $12.66, for materials furnished the Lice use
Commissioners, bt allowed for payment by the
Auditor of Accounts.
Read twice and passed. Sent cowi.
Ordered, That the Chairman of the Board of
Aldermen be authorized to approve tills for ex-
penses incurred by tb a Boar > of Aloe men, aud
tue standing committees of t bis Boa-d not having
charge of any appropriations, also bv individual
members of the Bo id while engaged in the dis-
cbatge of official duty; tbe amount ot said hilis
to be cba'ged to the appropriation lor Contingent
Expenses ot tne Board.
Read twice and passed.
ADJUSTMENT OF DAMAGES TO ESTATES TAKEN
FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT.
Alderman Stebbian offered the following:!
Ordeied, that his Houor i lie .Mayor be request-
ed to petition the Legislature, row ia session, for
thi j passage ot an act pr viding that wn never
any person having an estate, as tenant or lessee,
in any lands o. building* taken for street or other
public improvements, orings a> actio.i in any
coutt for- 'be assessment of damages, the presid-
ing judge of such court may refer such claim to
experts or an auditoi to report theieoo.
Alierman Stebbins — Perbaosa single wor I by
way of explanation is cue to the members of the
Board as to the necessity for the passage ot an
Older of ibis kino ; and n 1 state the nature of one
particular case, the Board will understand what
is meant. A case is pending in court relating to
an estate at th a correr of Washington and Avery
streets, where tbe owner of a bttildiDg leased it to
a partv tor a certain price ; that warty re-leased it
to another party, and the last named party re-
leased it to others, le erving t portion for hi- o»n
occuoaiv y. A portion ot the land and building
was t'.ker. by the city for th" purpose of widening
Washington street and a suit , brought by i he owner
ot tbe • state and the tenant , to recovei d mages,
is to » pending in court. Ot course, under the
present law, it is • ecessaryfer all the tenant to
bring separati actiois, a d the operation ot the
statute, at present, is such that the tenants are
likely to secure I rger dau ages than tbe.y are
reali'v entitled to, because it is very difficult for
anv juiy, however intelligent, to entev into a com- .
putatioh which slia'l correi tiy fix tbe amounts
du to c ti. claimant, where the piopeity is so
taKen. The introducti n of the order is
following out a suggestion ma'e bv a
judge of tbe court. He suggests tbai such
an act would ;nable the piesiding judge
to refer claim.' of thii kind to experts, or
an. auditor, wbo shall report back to i*e court
what mav be due each claimant i n the premises.
The act sbou'd be gi eral, nd apply to all cities
as well as Boston. It is thought tbat by the >as-
sage ot such a i act a large saving can be made in
the amour. t« awarded byju -ies for land aod build-
ings so taken.
The order wa c read twice and passed. Sent
down.
PROPOSED REDUCTION OF COUNTY EXPENSES.
Alderman O'Brien offered the following:
Ordered, That the Cimmitte- on County Ac-
counts oe instructed to cous<der the expediency
ot petitioning the Gene al Court, now id session,
tor such legislation as to s cure a substantial re-
duction ot the expense of maiutaioii g the several
municipal courts within the city limits, eitxier by
the abolishment ot one or more of said courts or
by some plan of consolidation by which the num-
ber of justices, clerfcs and constables row paid
by the city would be reciuced.
Alderman O'Brien— I oeheve that retr-nebmeot
and economy are the watchwoid of the City Gov-
ernmeat; biit unless we put thes^ good resolu-
tions into oractice thev "ill acnouDt to ■ othing.
I believe that from $10,000 to $15,000 year can be
saved by consolidating these municipal district
courts. For instance, the West Roxoury court
could be consolidated with thi- Highland court;
the one i Dorchester with that in South Bo.-ton,
and probably in tbe future the Charlestown court
could be trail fsrrea to the iiew Court House that
is to be located at th 1 ? jail. I think, Mr. Mayor,
that the order is in tie way of economy.
'.'he ort er f as passi d.
FANEUIL HALL.
Alderman Pope submitted report from Commit-
tee oo Faneuil Hall r< commending the granting
of permit to W Ido Adams et al., to use said nan
on Jan. 19, 20 «nd 21, 1870. Accepted.
LICENSES.
Aid rmau Bigelow submitted reports from the
Commute on Licenses, as follows:
Auctioneer- Licensed— M. Prank Paige, 125-127
Pearl stieet; Bs jamin Noyes, 35 Congress street;
John R. Wolston, Chel-ea street, Charlestown
Pawntroker Licensed— Raphael Eisenber,., 20
Salem street (transfer from Wolf Lsvi).
Severally a cepted.
PROPOSED REDUCTION OF COMMISSIONS.
Alderman O'Brien offered the following:
Ordered, That th Committee on Otdinances be
instructed to consider the expediency of so
amending the ci;y oidinanc.es as to provide that
ihe number of commissioners m <uc following
boards shall be reduced to one t i each, viz. ; tbe
Boaid ot File Commissioners; the Board of Street
Commissioners; the Board ot Health and the
Boaid ot License Comojissioneis; aod in case
State legislation is required in order tc&t the City
Council may so reduce the nunibei of commsssiori-
ers as aforesaia, the said comtuitt e be required
to report the necessary orders for petitioning tbe
Legislature.
Aldei man O'Brien — At ihe present time I will
refer oriefly to the object ot Tie order. In toe
first place, by reducing the Dumber of commis-
sioners to one in each department it will be a sav-
ing of $30,000 per year lo our taxpayers iu sala-
ries alone. Boards ot commission ;iie emphati-
cally a New York institution. In tbat city the
experiment has been tried fot a great many years,
and while there is a great pressure to introduce
the same system into every oeparttuet't of our
City Gov< rument, there is a still greater pressure
L5
BOARJJ OF ALDERMEN.
in New York where toe system h a been tried
and found wanting, to hn relieved <>i toe cooqujis-
hic/i s on account oi ti c abuses that ban Followed
their introduction. tb< Increased expendituies
ami t » i incieased taxation. Even the advocates
hi commissioners in New n "t u uave tecputiymod-
ltled their views verj matenaify, ana aow advo-
cate l <■! -nlid.iti 10 inai.y Ol tlic hoard.- and reduc-
ing i ii number 01 commit loners ■ > eac . board.
It is, in l act, very generally admitted, in all the
lead] og cities ol the country, that onegreai cause
of the increased taxation is in consequence
oi tne largely increased i umber <>t city
officials. Tins tact has i> eu so manifest In New
v»ik that a com co is ion appointed to report a
new charter fur i bac city not onlj tecommends a
oonsolioation ol cany of the departments, but
also recommends a i eduction or the com mis '
sioners to oae for the Are department, ni.e for
the health deparcmeot, one io. the depart-
ment of pit He i>arks, a. d two instead of four tor
toe poii^e department. Nowifinacit\ of 1,000,-
000 Inhabitants, after year? of practical expert-
eoc .ii i- believed that one i oirmissiontr was
equal to tne work, a city like Boston, wMi 340,000
inhabitants, ougnt to get along with one commis-
sioner in 111- depai inienis :• nuneraied in the
order. In r.his connection I will re.' an extract
from the New Yuk Journ l of Commerce of Jan.
6 inrelation io the iew appointments of police
commission is made by the Mayor under the
present, cttv chaitei of i£ai city, as this is one of
the commissions about to be introduced here.
That paper sayi —
"We would like to see tneuurubei ot Conimis-
sicners of Police eventually reduced to one: and
he stoulo be the Superintendent beside, with
as many denuties as ne "tedeo. One commis-
sioner "governs rhe Loudon noli 'e, aad does it
with a zeal, intelligence aid effectiveness tdat
leaves our four-headed commission far behind.
Until the executive power is fully concentrated
in oi3 man, tue police of New York will never
elituo iaraov- the present low siauoard."
Nov that econornv aud letreiicbment are de-
uia ided iu every depaitmeut ot the City (lovern-
ment, the saving ot $30,000 per year in salaries is
worthy of consideration, and I believe it couLJ be
done, by reducing the number of commissioners,
without detriment to tbe public service. One ac-
tive, mtelliaent commissiooer at the head of our
Tire, Health and Sueet Depaitmeuts would be far
superior to the toree-headed system under which
these departments aienow organized. Simplicity
in muuicipal affans — a reduction of officers aod
office hole, ers is now dtinaodedin nearly all the
leading eitie- of tne country as tbe first st=p
towards rettencoment aou economy.
Alde^oi .u Clara — I hope the order will not be
passed today, but that it will be laid upon the
table. I think it is a little too early in the season
to commence this tiraue upon the Fire Depart-
ment, the Board ot Health and the Sti>et Com-
mission. I don't know that the city of Boston
need go to New York to learn how to conduct
its municipal affairs; or that New York snould be
heli i up as an exauple for Bostou to follow in
matters of legislation. The Board of Health has
been estuohshed two years; it is admitted by all
parties that it has done a good work, and all are
doubtless aware that ih.ro U pl<-nt\ of work for
three aole aod oiscre t members ol that board to
do. Tue Kir,: ( oinuii-.-iu.i has been in oper-
ation a litti Over one ;.ear; it has given
ral Satisfaction t-) tbe citizens. I believe it is
admitted by all parties tbat theeffieirney of mat
department bas be n enhanced, and that there
has been i saving In the expenditure-, instead of
an increase, ihe street Commission! rs speak tor
themselves. Whether that hasoeenago o insti-
tution or not, is loi the i itizens to >a\ ; but, so tar,
the commisslo en have been reelect j t«\o or
three iiu es, tn>l 1 believe they have given general
satisfaction. 1 (rust this oruei will not be passed
unnl we have a opportunity t<r coi shier tne new
charter, foi If thatis aoopteo certain alt rations
wilt undoubtedly be made. 1 tmstws shall not
take anv steps >owai as i duci. g the '.lumber of
commission ers util it is first determined what
action shall b- lak n in icranltothe new charter,
a 'id I move that ihe order lieui on tne table.
Alderman Stebbins — J would suggest that the
order be referred to the joint special com nittae
on the new city char er, as they will have that
matter in charge.
Alderman O'Brien — 1 have no obj ctiou to re-
ferring it to tue joint special committee on the
new charter; but I disclaim anv intention ot find-
ing fault either with the Street, Health or Jfira
Department of the city. That order was offered
altOjiethei on the score of economy. Ibis new
City Government comes in with ecor/omy anc' re-
trenchment a^ theii watchword, ano I timk that
if tbe proper steps are ta?en, some §30,000 a > ear
in tne wa> of alarie- can be saved to the city of
Bostun, and I believe such a matter is a _-ub-
jsct for legitimate inquiry. ihe rea-on
wby I a-ked its reference to the Ord-
inance Committee was, that every on„ knows that
thisu-.w city cuaiter hung fire durii g tne entira
session of tne Government last year; and even if
we should agree upon the change it proposes, it
will have *o go to the Legislature, and from there
to the peopl. . There is a long story io the new
ctarter; but now, while the Leeisiature is in
session, if the Ordinance Committee thought it
expedient to authorize the Mayor to petition the
Legislature for a change in the number of our
present commissions, it could be acted upon and
accompli. bed id Ihe course of a re * months.
The motion to lay upon the table was lost, by a
rising vote— 6 foi, 6 against.
Alderman Stebbins moved the reference of ths
oroer to che Joint Special Committee on the New
Citv Charter.
Alderman Burrage— It seems to me that that
would be i tetter disposition. There might be a
conflict, ot authoiity, by referring the same mat-
ter to two separate committees. I think that one
committee baa better have charge of 'he whole
thing.
The order was referred to the Joint Special
Committee on the New Charter. Sent down.
COMMITTEE ON ACCOUNTS.
Alderman Stebbtns re:orted th= t the Commit-
tee ou Accounts had organized by the choice of
Alderman Clatk as chairman.
On motion of Alderman fiuriage the Board ad-
journed.
16
COMMON COUNCIL
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
JANUARY 13, 1876.
Regular meeting at VU o'clock P. M., J. Q. A.
Brackett, President, in the chair.
PAPERS FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Annual reports of Superintendents of Bridges;
Inspectors of Lighter ; Superintendent of La cups,
(Printed Ciiv Doc. No. 4.); Chief of Police,
(Piimed City Doc. No. 5.); Paymaster ot State
Aid. Severally placed on ti'e.
Au 'itor's Monthly Exhibit, (Printed City Doc.
No. 8). Placed on tile.
Report of Pires and Alarms for December.
Placed on flip.
Message that James L. HiBard had been ap-
pointed Mayor's Clerk. Placej oi file.
Older tequesting the Mayor to petition the Leg-
islature for an act that when » tenant or lessee
•f any estate taken for street or otbei public im-
p •oveooeuts brings .an action in any court for
damages, *-he presiding judge may refer such
claim to experts or an auditor.
Mr. Gray of Ward 14 said ne did not understand
the order, and desired some explanation.
Mr. Crocuer of Ward 9— As gentlemen well
know, there are many cases where the facts are so
'eocup.icateo tnat it is difficult tor a jury to un-
oerstaio them, and ic is ctesirable that tbey should
be referred to an auditor to study them carefully.
Soa,e of these esses for damages do not come
within the rule authorizing the sel -ccion of an audi-
tor, a d at the suggestion of some of the judges of
the Superior Cou-rt, pi ouipteo bv theexperipocema
recent tiial, especially, this oidei has been offered.
F r instance, a case has recently been 'tied where
vaiious paities have ao interest in the land— the
owner, the leasees and sub-lessees — the facts
were complicated, ard it was difficult for the jury
to determine how much da nacres ought to oe al-
lowed to each party. Tbe facts were so compli-
aate i that toe jury found themselves wholly
incapable of grappling s?ith them, ai'd Disagreed,
after a lone 1 aDd expensive trial, and it has got to
be tried again. It see is desir-.bie to avoio such
eases m future, by having this whr>le mass of
lacts again thiown upon a jury; a^d tnat the
court shall be authorized to refer such mat-
ters in the first place to an auditor, or
experts, to examine and report to the court. Of
eour»e it don't take away the rignt of anv one to
a trial by jury, for that ^&n be had on tbe facts af-
ter the auditor shali have leported ; but it will
smve to simplify the mattei, and brirg it before
tbe jury in better shape. The practice bas been
Ion od very useful, almost necessary, ;n a large
class of cases involving accounts and that sort of
thk g; but the law doesn't authorize the appoint-
ment ot au auditor ; n such cases as this, and it
seems desirable thai, a law should be passed
re iderina it possible to do so.
Mr. Gray — I don't wish to take awav the rights
«f any person, but it s?eins there i- no hurry about
the oider, and it would be as well to lay it upon
the table and refer it to the Jommirtee ou Streets,
when app inted, to piocure information. I move
that it be laid upo o the table.
Mr. Crocker— I hardly see aov propriety in re-
ferring itto the Committee on Streets, though I
don't, Kno? that theie is any harm in laying it
upon tbe table, for consideration.
The motion :o lay upoa ihe table was lost, and
the order was read twice -ind passed in concur-
rence.
Order that the bill of Rast Brothers & Bird,
amounting to $12.86, for materials furnished the
License Commissioners, be allowed for payumut
by the Auditor of Accounts. Oideved to a second
leading.
Order that the petition of C. C. Perkins et al.,
that the city s<-do to tbe Centennial Exposition
soine of the priucipal works of art owoed by the
city, be taken from the tiles and referred to Alder-
mei Bigelow and O'Bden, wHh such as the Com-
mon Council may join. Passed in concurrence,
and Messrs. Davis of Ward 16, Devereux of Ward
4, and Newton of Waid 21 were joined to said
committee.
Oroer that Aldermen Pope and Thompson, with
such as tbe Council may jom.be a committee to
have charge of the erection of the Army aud
Navy Monument on Boston Common, as provided
in the contract with M. Miimore. Read twice and
pa°sed in concurrence, and Messrs. Trail of Ward
5, Graggof Ward 22 and Flynn of Ward 13 were
joinedto said committee.
Oraer that Aldermen Stebbms, O'Brien and
Hull, with such as the Common Council may join,
be appointed to determine and pay allowances of
State aid to families of the disabled soldiers and
of the slaiu, pursuaot to the laws, and to employ
a paymaster aud necessary assistants. Read twica
and passed in concurrence, and Messrs. Rice of
Waid 22, Lapoen ot \Y ard 15, Osbome of Ward 12,
Webster of Ward 21, and D. Doherty of Ward 7
were joined to sail committee.
Order that the report ot the Commissioners
on Sewerage (printed City Document No. 3. 1876,)
be refeired to Aldermen Bmrage, Stebbins and
Wbidden. with such as the Common Council may
join. Read twice and passed in concurience, and
Messrs. Sampson of Ward 17, Pierce of Ward 24,
Blodgett ot Ward 8, Day of Ward 5, and Taylor of
Ward 2, were joined to said committee.
Order that the draft of a new city charter, re-
ferred from the last City Council to this Govern-
ment, be refeired to Aldermen Clark, Bigelow
and O'Brien, with such as the Common Council
may join. Read twice and passed in concurrence,
and Messrs. May of Ward 24, Crocker of Ward 9,
Trull of Ward 5, Sprague of Ward 10, and Jaques
of Waid 11 were joined to aid committee.
Order that Aldermen Clark, Burrage, O'Brien,
Burnnam and Thompson, with such as the Com-
mon Council mav jom, be a committee to consid-
er what way it will be expedient to celebratss, on
the 17th of March text, tbe "Evacuation of Bos-
ton by tbe British Army," ana on the 4th of July
next, the certeonial antiiveisary of toe Declara-
tion of American Independence. Read twice and
passed in concurrence, and Messrs. Guild of Ward
9, Sibley of Ward 5. Sweetsei of Waid 17, Train of
Ward 20, Pieice of Ward 18, Walbnoge of Ward
15 and Blanchard of Ward 21 were joineo to said
committee. On motion of Mr. Sibley of Ward 5,
the President was added to tbe committee.
Petitions were referred in concurrence.
JOINT ROLES AND ORDERS.
On motion of Mr. Sibley of Ward 5, tbe rule was
susuended, aDd the report on Joint Rules and
Orders (City Doc. 7) was taken from the table.
The order was reao once by its title, on motion of
Mr. Morrison of Ward 11. Toe first section was
read, and ou motion of Mr. SiDley of Ward 5, the
further reading was dispensed with and the order
passed. Sent up.
THE STANDING COMMITTEES.
Orders came down tor the appointment of the
several joint stanuing commitrees, which, on mo-
tion of Mr. Howes of Ward 18, were iead by their
titles ana severally pass-d.
The President — Before announcing the members
ot tbe joint standing committees on thepaitof
the Council, the Chair feels that it is due to the
Council and to himself that he should make a
brief statement ij relation thereto. Every gen-
tleman who has given atteutiou to tie sucject
cannot fail to appreciate the mauy difficulties at-
tending the discharge of this duty. The work
has been rendered unusually difficult the
present year from the fact that the number of
committee positions to which tbe Council was en-
titled bas beeu diminished, the Council losiu^ its
five memoers upon the Committee iin Armories,
and tbe representation upon the Committees on
Public Lauos and Survey and Inspection of Build-
dings being reducd from fve to three, making a
loss of nine positions in all. Under these ciroum-
staticss it has been impo ^sible to give to eacb one
of the seventv-ooe gentlemen of tne Council an
important committee position, f oi the Chair felt
teouad to act with due regard to the qualifications
of members for the position, and give each sec-
tion of the city its due representation. But the
Chan bas appointed each member upoa at least
one standing committee, and no gentleman upon
more than two.
Tbe President announced tbe Standing Com-
mittees, as follows:
Joint Standing Committees.
Assessors' Department — Messrs. Burgess of
Ward 8, Peabody of Ward 11, Curtis of Ward 23,
Gray ot Ward 14 and Woodbury ot Ward 12.
Bathing — Messrs. Walbri ige of Ward 15, Fitz-
patrick of Ward 13, B'odgett of Ward 8, Tuttle of
Ward 16 and O'Donnell of Ward 7.
City Registrar's Department— Messrs. Pierce of
Ward 18, Smardon of Ward 10 and Jones of Ward
JANUARY 18
1876.
17
Claims— Messrs. Sorague of "Ward 10, Train of
"Ward 20, Sampson JE Ward 17, Howe- of Ward 18
and Gragg of Ward 22.
Cominou aud I'ublic Grounds — Messrs. Guild of
Ward 9, Curtis of Wart) 23, Cushiog of Ward 10,
TruH of Ward 5 and Rice or Ward 22.
East Boston Ferries— Messrs. Shaw ot Ward 12,
Boibeot Ward 2, Mulle • of Ward 13, Taylor of
Ward 6 and Granatin ot Ward 20.
Engineers' Department— Messrs. Fitzcatriek of
Ward 13, Jone-: of Ward 4, Daniel Doh<-rty of
Ward G.
Eire Department— Messrs. Pope of Ward 14,
Speuceley of Ward 19 aud Burk- of Ward 2.
Fuel— Messrs. Robbin* ot Ward 2, Shav of Ward
19 aud Hall of Ward 8.
Harbor— Messrs. Fiynn ot Ward 13, Beechiug of
Warel 1, Barr of Ward 6.
City Hospital — Messrs. Morrill of Ward 20, Barr
of Ward G, Ticknor of Ward 23.
Public Institutions — Messrs. Newton of Ward
21, Flynn of W*rd 13, Osborne of Ward 12, Web-
ster of Ward 1, Ada«s oi Wara 5.
Mt. Hope Cemetery— Messrs. Lonag of Ward
24, Graham ot Ward 20, Fraser of Ward 6.
Legislative Matters— Messr?. Tc in of Ward 20,
Pope of Ward 14, Ruffln of Ward 9.
Ordinances— Messrs. Crocker ot Ward 9, Pierce
of Ward 18, Lappeo of Ward 15, Tickoor of Ward
23, Ruffln of Ward 9.
Over-e-iisot Poor— Messrs. Blanchard of Ward
21, Joseph Doheity of Waio 7, Firtb ot Ward 16.
Public Buildings— Messis. Monisou of Ward 11,
Pope of Ward 15, King oury of Ward 19, Gray of
Ward 14, Sbepard of Warn 4.
Public Instruction — Messi-. Cusfimg of Ward
lO.Loringof Ward 24, Willcutt of Waid 23, Pearl
of Ward 1 and the Preside, t ex officio.
Public LaLOS— Messrs. Clarke of Waid 22, Dev-
ereuxof Ward 4, Crocker of Ward 9.
Printing— Messrs. Pierce of Waid 24, Hall of
Ward 8, Sinaidon ot Ward 10.
Public Libra y— Mess's. Firth of Ward 16, Tay-
lor of Ward 2, Joseph Dohety of Ward 7, Sbepard
»t Ward 4. Morrill of Ward 20.
Salanes— Messis. Jaques of Ward 11, Hos»es of
Ward 18, Shay of Ward 19.
Sheets- Mes-rs. Willcutt of Ward 23, Felt of
Ward 18, Burgees of Ward 8, Parker of Ward 21,
Ham of W ard 14.
Health— Messrs Sibley of Ward 5, Parker of
Warn 21 and Robbies of Ward 2.
Surveyis' Department— Messrs. Spenceley of
Ward 19, Mullen of Ward 13 and Taylor of Ward
6.
Survey and Inspection of Buildings— Messrs.
Kiigsbuiy of Ward 19, Kellev of Ward 3, Morn-
son of Ward 11.
Treasury De pat tment— Messrs. Peabody of Ward
11, Davis of Waro 16, Stone of Waid 3.
Water— Messrs. Sweetsei of Ward 17, Shaw of
Ward 12, Day of Ward 3, Fraser of Ward 6,
Beechiug of Ward 1.
Standing Committees of the Common Council.
Paving— Messrs. Kelley of Ward 3, Shay of
Ward 19, Woodbury of Ward 12, Barr of Waid 6,
Ham of W»rd 14.
Police— Messrs. Taylor of Ward 6, Jones of Ward
4, Graham of Ward 20, D. Doherty of Ward 7, Ad-
ams of Ward 5.
Judiciary— Messrs. Crocker of Ward 9, Pierce of
Waro 18, Lappen of Ward 15, Ticknor of Ward 23
and Ruffln of Ward 9.
Mr. Flynn of Ward 13 — I lefuse to sarve on
either of the two committees upon which you
have been pleased to appoint me, — positivelv re-
fuse to serve upon them ; and perhaps, sir, an ex-
planation is due fp m vne, or p&rbaps from you,
as the Ptesideat of this body, to explai i particu-
larly your eourse in the selection of these f>om-
mitte--s. I nave had the honor, Mr. Piesident, of
serving rn this Council for nine; years', this being
my teuth. I have served luuer nine Ptesi-
derts, at least, and never, sir, curing m- ex-
perience, have I seen ons of them exercise the au-
thority, or assume the authoiity which you have
attempted to do, in deposing a man from a com-
mittee who has served upon it for eight years. I
have served upon the Committee on Streets eight
years ; I have served as chairman on tbe part of
this branch for three years, and I have yet tolearn
from any of mv colleagues, or from any member
of the Council, that I h^ve not done my c.uty as a
member of tnat committee. I had hoped, sir,
when we assembled in this Council twoweeSs ago,
that party prejudice or party feelings, or what-
ever personal prejudice there might have been be-
between you aod me, were buried; for some
three or four years, ago, I, in my capaci-
ty here, and as a moinber of a com-
mittee, did my duty — flu reporting to this Council
that you *vf>re not legally elected a membei of
this Government, and —
The Piesideat — The gentleman is out of order,
in impugning the motives ot the Chair.
Mr. Flynn — I sup.oospo I would be called to
order b\ you.
The Presioenr— The gentleman can make a per-
sonal explanation.
Mr. Flynn -1 do not sesue to do so. I desired
to explain m» position here as a member of this
Council. I havenothug more to say.
[Applause in the galle ies ]
The President,- -Mr. Flynn having declined to
serve upon the two commiitres —
Mr. Shaw ot Ward 12— Refused.
Mr. Flvrjn— I have not declined to serve. I re-
fused. I wisn it distinctly understood chat 1 posi-
tively refused to serve.
Ibe President — Those two committees will be
com oosed as follows :
Hatboi— Messrs. Beecuing ©f Ward 1, Barr of
Ward G, aod Mullen of Ward 13.
Public Institutions — Messrs. New ton of Ward
21, Lappen of Waid 15, Osborne of Ward 12,
Webs er of Ward 1, Adams ot Ward 5.
Mr. Guild of Waid 9 — I rise to a question of
privilege, to ask for a little instruction, i sup-
posed, sir, when I came here as a member ot the
Common Council, if I wisued to be excused from
performing a duty, I was o decline. I should like
to ask if it will be in order for me, having bseo.
appoinred to a position upon the Commntee on
Common, or any other uositioD, to refuse to serve
in that posirion? I wish to have the same privi-
lege, with every one else. I snould hardly think
it courteous, but I wish to know if it is in oroer
for any member of the City Government to come
here and hold up his right hand and swear what
youku.iwheb s sworn, and wh n asked to per-
form a certain service, whether he is accepting
the duties he was e'ected to perforin ot fulfilling
the obligations of his oath, it he refuse to do suco
service. I ask this for information, and with no
personal feeling whatever.
Mr. Flynn— If the gentler, an will study the
rules of the Citv Council he will And that no mem-
ber is obPgec to serve as chairman upon two com-
mittees.
Mr. Guild— I asked the information of the Presi-
dent, ?nd not you, sir.
[Hisses from the galleries.]
Mr. Flynn— I gave it to you.
Mi.Guilu — I asked if a gentleman could refuse
to do his duty here. I did u't ask it he could de-
cline to seive upon two commitrees. I ooly want
to start off fairly unon this quesion. If one gen-
tle- mau can rise m bis place and refuse to perlorm
a duty tnat he swore to do, when he first
came into the Council, then another can, and I
may want the same privilege.
Mr. Shaw of Ward 12— That which the gentle-
man fiom Ward 9 b<»s asked of the President is n't
witbio the power of the Presioent to auswei. It
is n't for the President to say what are out duties;
it is for thi° bodv itself to say so. It is n't by
an ipse dixit! (Wheie is my friend from
the old Sixth Ward?) It ' is n't for the
President to say what his lights and prerogatives
are; but it is upon the city charter and the vote
of this Council. The gei/tlecuan from tbe Thir-
teenth Ward nas risen in tbe dignity of his posi-
tion, as a representative elected nere, and de-
clared that he will not serve tbe ipse aixit of the
President. H» is right. He is not compelled to
serve, and you, sir, as President— I say it with all
respect to you, sir— it is n't within your power
to say what his duties are. But it is the
duty of toe Council to say so, and nobody's else.
He has risen in the dignity of his position, elected,
duly elected, and nobody contesting his seat— as
they d<a-e to do my seat; and let, them come on and
curbed be he who hi st ciies "Hold ! enough !" But,
sir, the gentleman has risrn in the digaity of his
position as an American citizen, and as duly elect-
ed to this Council, and says he lefuses to answer
to your ipse dixit. I say it with all respect to
you, sir. He has the right to do so. Show me tbe
power udoii this earth to compel him, will you?
Show me, sir, tha power in this land to compel
him to serve where he believes he hasn't been
properly and rightly anpointed. Where is it? Is
it in these ruies and orders? Show it to me.
Where is it? It is n't. He comes here as a repre-
sentative of tbe people. He does n't come
here to answer the ipse dixit of any live
18
('OMMON COUNCIL,
icao. He due-, n't coaib heie to per«
form a duiy v\ i ■ i ^- 1 1 ue believes is n'1 within
bis tight, vitbin in- power, is n't within Ins meas-
ure, to pet form. He ia right t complain not on
njy owe account. Vim bave demeaoea me, Mr.
President— 1 saj it Dot with disrespect— you bave
dlspiact ii me from a position which I have neld
for two years, [don't complain. Sou have done
it, I have no doubt, in •'he iot?witv and in tbe
nonesty oi your purpose; < in you have been com-
pelled 10 do it. You bave been compelltd, sir, by
a power inside ol this cham >er—
The President— I be gentleman is out of older —
.Mr. S aw — Which vo ir own native honesty and
integiltv a uld prevent vou from doing.
[Applause in tbe gaderl s.]
The President —Toe Chair would inform eeatle-
mei in the gaileri' s tbat all applause must b* dis-
pensed i\ii i, or die ciair will be ooPged to i. ve
tbe galleries cleared, ihegentiem » from Ward
12 will pioceed.
Mr. Sbaw — Mr. Piesident, ii isfiveyeajs that I
,have bad the honor to he a member of this body.
In the hone ty and integrity of my purpose, before
God, I have tried to do my outy. You, sir, have
beeu inuueed — I wont say improperly, but you
bave beeo induced, sir.— to displace me fiom the
position to » hich bv all common eourtesv , and all
pailiawencary usage, I aai entitled. I have for
two years beeo a member of the houorable Com-
mittee on Common ano Public Giounds; and the
past year, as you well know— I am am statiug tacts
in history only — I have had tbe honor
in this oraucb of "the City Government, to be its
chairman, so called, bsiog tbe first named. You
bave, in tbe integrity of your purpo-e, and tbe
exercise of your best judgaient, by re a on of the
pressure brought upon, you— because, sir, 1 bave
stood hereaud d .it,; to say that which I believed;
tbat is the position of thing-— you have displaced
me from tint honorable committee. Thank God,
you bave! bank God, again, you have! and the
tbii d time let me thank my Maker t hat you have ;
hecause, sir, while 1 hold a seat upon this floor, I
snail Levei hesitate io repeat toat suggestion and
th it staten et.t. Now, sir, you hive done me — aad
I d n't, sav it with disresoect, because 1 know tbe
pressure brought upon you, from your own lips;
1 say it wit(» no disrespect— 1 hav« been displaced
from the committee for reasons stated to you, and
for nothi. g else; because 1 hrive risen here in the
honesty and integiitv of my purpose ano said that
which became me to say. You have placed me m
two other positions— vo i have placed me, sir, as
chan man ot the Committee upon Ferries. 1
know in. thing wore about femes than I do about
tbe Mohegau Mountains. .And < gain, sir, I think,
sir — excuse me if I am wrong— I have been placed
upon another committee, the Committee on
Water. Incapable, si i, by reason of experience,
which is everything in this world; incapable
though I be topciform tueauties to which vou nave
assigned me, X shall endeavor, sir, with all the integ-
rity, with what little ability I possess, to perform
those luties. I don't propose, as my honorable
friend from the Thirteenth Ward has done, to re-
fuse to serve upon those committees. Yet, sir,
notwithstanding all that, I appieciate ano honor,
and ever shall honor, he motives which induced
him to refuse. So much, sir, for my own position,
and so much for his. I am aware — ana God knows
I state it in tbe honesty and integrity of my pur-
pose — 1 know tbe prejudice brought to bear upon
you against ine. I know the prejudice biought to
bear upon you against me. But God knows tDat
so lone as I have a voice, and so long as I have tbe
right to hold this seat, I -hall stand here against
all snoboency and all aiistocracy, and ad that
sort of feeling which militates against the best
iDterest of the common people, the people who
need your protection and mine, and the piotection
of the City Government. 1 bave spoken earnestly,
but I hope I have spoken with uo di- respect, as
that has not been my intention or wish. I shall
stand here so limg as I hold this seat, aad state
that wbich I believe to be honest, that which I
believe to be t ,- ue, that which I believe to be for
the br?t intere.it of the people, although every
other man of to is Council shall stand here against
me. 1 am willing to trust my views and my case
befoie the people ot Boston.
Mr. Guild— "Behold ho* great a fire a little
spark kmdleth."
Mr. Shaw— "Do— 'head!"
Mr. Guil i— I rise, sir, >o say what 1 have to say
simplv it the interest of courtesy. We elected a
gentlenau President of this booy; one who has
served faithfully ; one who has always worked for
the city's be«t ioteresis. We elected bim bv a
unanimous vote— tot one single voce was thrown
against bim. W placed bim in thai chair, and in
oiuei tbat be might act frankly, fairly and inde-
pendently, we passed a vote bj winch be might be
thoroughly and totally oniestraioed in the ap-
pointmeui of committees —
Mr. Fly an — 1 rise to a point of order. 1 would
ask if the gentleman is uiikin^ to the question?
I notice thai the Rrt-sident 9et me down.
Tbe President— The Chaii unaerstands that the
gentleman from Ward '■> is masiog a personal ex-
planation. The 'haii did not niie the gentleman
fiom \\ ard 13 out of order because he was making
a personal explanation, but because lie was le-
licctr.ig upon lire motives of toe Chair.
Mr. Shaw— The gentleman iroin Wart !) did not
lis* to make a pei onal explanation.
The President— The Chair so understood.
Mr. Shaw— lie did not -o state.
Mr. Guild — 1 do s.j life. now.
Mr. f lymi— And 1 object.
Mr. Guild— 1 rise to make a. peisonal explana-
tion.
Mr. Flynn— To make a personal explanation, I
believe, requires unanimous cousent of the house,
ana I object.
Mr. Guild— Then I lie to speak to the question.
The President — Tnei'c is no question before the
house.
Mr. Guild— Then if the gentleman refuses by his
single vote to allow n>e the personal privilege en-
joyed by others here, I am willing to take my seat
and let tbe responsibility of the act test with him.
Mr. Flynn — You take the same dose that 1 did.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
By Mr. Morrison of Ward 11— Petition of John
Diman tor a recount of votes for members of
Common Council in Ward <;. Referred to Stand-
ing Committal on Election-.
By Mr. Sioley of Ward 5— Petition for leave to
erect a wooden building by George H. James, in
the real of Foundry street; and by John A.
Sawyer, to eularge wooden building on Ashfotd
street, Ward 22. Referred to Joitt Committee
on Survev and Inspection of Buildings. Sent
up.
By Mr. Morrison of Ward 11— Remonstrances of
tbe Mechanics' National Bank, and Ctjaile> H.
Fleming el al.. against erection of boiler -bop in
rear of Dorchester avenue, South Boston. Refer-
red to Joint (,'ouimiti ee on Survey acd Inspection
of Buddings. Seut up.
RECOUNT OF VOTES.
Mr. Devereux of Ward 4 submitted the follow-
ing:
The Committee on Elections, to whom was re-
ferred tbe petition of John McBarron, thar all the
ballots cast for members of the Com non Council
at ihe last municipal election in Ward 19 be re-
counted, beg leave to report that toey have re-
counted the ballots, with the following result:
Everett C. Kingsbury had 408
E. C. Kingsbury 3
Christopher J . Spencelev '215
C. J. Spenceley ' 128
C. G. Spenceley 1
Spencelev 1
William E. Shay 327
Shay '. 1
Wm. E. Shea 2
John MciSarron 323
John G. Bartholomez 183
J.G. Bartholomez 82
John Bartholomez 1
Bartholomez 1
James Campbell 248
Cambel 1
CanMe 1
Thomas Riley 225
James Teevau 223
P. James Maguire , 165
P. J. Maguire 76
James Maguire 2
J. Maguire 1
Maguire 1
William Blanchard 3
J.Augustus Felt 2
Otis H.Pierce 2
Osborn Howes, Jr 2
John F. Newton 2
Augustus Parker 2
Plnneas B.Smith, Jr 2
L.B. Hiscock 2
N. J. Bean 2
and John C. Crafts, Michael M. Cunniff, J. Ham-
sou Ashton, Isaac P. Gregg, WUliani Seaver and
T. D. Muirey, had one each.
Under the rule governing such cases, the baUots
cast for C. J. Spenceley, C. G. Spenceley and
Spenceley, should be counted for Christopher J.
JATn] UARY 13
1876
19
Speuceley, and it therefore appears that the
memters now occupying seats at this Boa id are
entitled to the same.
For th a Committee,
John N. Deveeeux,
Chairman.
The Committee oo Elections, to whom was re-
ferred the petition of Allien H. Lauten and others,
that all the t>all'>ts cast for members of the Com-
mou Council, at the last municipal electioa in
\\ aid 14, be ecoimted, beg leave to report that
they have recounted the ballots, with the follow-
ing result:
H ollis R. Grav had 713
Martin L. Ham 687
M. L.Ham 1
Richard Pope 660
R. Fopt- 3
Jacob M. Baker 443
J. M. Baker 192
William Gorman 403
Jeremiah Shaw 282
J. Shaw 1
Daniel L. Bradford 212
D. L. Bradford 3
F. G. Walbri'ige 5
Benjamin Pope 4
George N. I*oyes,2nd 2
atir) Horace W. J irda , Geoige Holmes, John
Mullen. J aine; A. Laopen, John R Magee, Frank
D. Drake and Job D. Cole had one each.
From the foregoing it appear* (hat the members
cow ><ccupviog seats at this Beard are entnled to
the snooe.
In closing their repoit,your committee oesire to
call attention t j the wide discrepancies between
the returns of the ward officers and the actual
count, wttich vour committee cannot but believe
was caused by gross carelessness ot incompetency
on tiie part of me ward officers.
For the Comnmtee,
John N. Deveeeux, Chairman.
Severally accepted.
COMMON COUNCIL CONTINGENT FUND.
Mr Peahod* of Ward 9 submitted a report from
the Commntee on Finance, . battbe Auditor of
Account- repri sents chat the Contingent Fund of
the Common Council has been expended, and
they lecommend the passage ot the folio wing-
order, making an appropriation for the remainder
of the financial year :
Ordered, lhat t ue Auditor of Accounts be and
he heieby is authorized to tiansfer from the Re-
served Fun o to (he appropriation for Contingent
Fuid foi the Common Council the sum of $500.
Ordered to a see nJ reaping.
EEPOKTS OF NOMINITINO COMMITTEES.
Reports in pari were submitted from joint spe-
cial nominating committees, recommending elec-
tions as fobows:
By Mr. T, alii of Ward 20— Ti ustees of Public Li-
brary, AUleim.:u John T. Clark, Councilmeu Cur-
tis Guild, Be jjamin H. Tiekuor.
Mr. Tick no i declined ths nomination, and on
niatioi) of Mr. Willcutt of Warj 23, tae report was
recommitted.
By Mr. Jaques of Wait? 11— Tiustees of City
Hospital, Alderman Hugh O'Brie a, Councilmeu
Oil* M, Fierce. H. H. Spiague.
By M . Willcutt cf Ward 23— Dir ctors for Pub-
lic institutions Alder nau Clinton Viles, Couucil-
men hugene H. Sampson, Alb us R. Cushiug.
By Mr. dishing of Ward 10— Trustees of Mt.
Hope Cemetery. Altierman AbraaamO. Bigelow,
Councilmeu John Sweet-er, Richard Pooe.
By Mr. Morrison of Ward 11— Directuts of East
Boston Ferries, Aldeimao, George T. Sampson,
Couociliue" John F. Nrwton, Marcellus Day.
Bv Mr. S«eetser of Ward 17— Members of Co-
chitua e Water Board, Alderman Solomon B.
St'bDins, Councilmeu Naniim M. Morrison, Au-
gustus Parker.
" Severa ly accented and uomiuatioas laid over.
Reports sent up.
COMMITTEES OEGANIZED.
Mi. Felt of Waid 18 submitted a report that the
Committee on Accounts on the part of the Com-
mon Couneil nan organize d by the choice ot Mr.
Flyni of Ward 13 as chairman. Accepted.
Mr. Sampson: of Ward 17 repoited verbally that
the Committee on Fiuance nu the part of the
Couucil had organized by the choice of Mr. Pea-
body of Ward 11 as cbaii man.
REDUCTION OF SALAEIES AND OTHER KXPENDI-
TUBES
Mr. Gray of Ward 14 moved to take from the
table the order for a joint special committee to
investigate the mattei of salaries and all other
expenditures, and report what retrenchment can
be made, the report to be submitted prior to ac-
tion of the City Council on general appropria-
tions,
Mr. Gragg of Ward 22 — I trust ihe motion will
pievail. 1 don't know the gentleman's motive,
whethei tho oi der is to be pressed for aooptiot, or
to be withdrawn, or what the feelings of the Coun-
cil mav be; but for one I hope the order will be
indefinitely postponed. There Srems to be an over
anxiety on the part of many members of ths
Council to start in tins new year as if tncy thought
their cocstnuents will not be satisfieo unless thev
originate some most remarkable and unprece-
dented measure of municipal economy ana re-
form. We have seen this cropping out heie
already iu two or three di ections. At out first
meeting we bad a motioa uaade to set a-dde —
Mi. Gray — is a motion to take from the table
debatable?
The President— Ten minutes' debate i^ allowed,
each soeakei being limited to tlnee minutes.
Mr. Gragg — We have seen this feeling cropping
out in two or three points tms year ; we have had
motions tolav aside old standard rules and parlia-
mentary customs, and no * a most astoni lung or-
der iu the direction of instituting a most astouish-
ing method of economy and letoriu fortheCen-
tsnnia 1 year. It stems to me that these oaatt-rs
will ce like a two-edged sword — cutting both
ways: or like a boom'tiang iUiowo bv an unskill-
ful hand, ic will letuiu to plague theo'/r.er. I
don't believe that euonomv and reform ate to be
accomplished by any such measures. I opposed
the motion made at the first uaeefiog of the
Council on principle ; and on the same
grounds I hop' this order will either
be rejected cr itdefini ely postponed. I know
that perhaps I am aiguiug the unpopular .-ide of
the question. Already I have had intimated to
me mat I had desei ted toe ship that I, amongst
many thousands, tried so hard to launch at the
lait election. I have the bond to repre-ent a
ward, that by tue calculation ot almost every-
body, was expected to go against the party which
h?.s come i'.ito power this year. I had the honor,
in my humble way, to lead, it 1 ui»v say so, one
sectioo of that ward to victory —and an unexpect-
ed victory it was to us. I know thisis to be a year
of economy aioo reform; ana let it be so. But I
am willing to sit in mv seat and abide by
the standard rules and old principles i ill
the end ot the year, when the record is
made up and my constituents can see
whether Ij have been working in the inteiest
o f municipal economy and reform or nor. I care
not for the risk of having laid at mv door the tact
that I have de«en»d ihat principle, for I have
naade no entangling alliances — as has been inti-
mated concerning my course at the first meetiug
— and woulo prefer, aud intend, not to sit here
with the mask of hypocrisy upon my face.
Mr. Gragg's time having" expired, on mouon of
Mr. Gray the rule was susoended, and he was al-
lowed to finish his remarks.
Mr. Gragg — It is orouostd to appoint a most
extraoroioary special committee, to go over all
the financial a atterj of the City Government: —
giving them a very wide range— and lvport upon
matters which aie committed to the committees
on Finance and Salaries. The Committee
on Finance has been most carefully selrct-
ed, and elected, and ia ampiy able to manage that
question. The same can be saia ot the Committee
on Salaries. This special committee proposes to
go over the same ground ; and what, will be the
result? I don't see bow the Committee on Fi-
nance can go to work systematically, if th„y have
this commit tee to hang over them, follow them
step by step, for taey will unavoidably come iu
antagonism with them. Thf sooner this matter is
taken up and disposed of the better it will be tor
us. No committee superior to the Finance Com-
mittee could be aopomted; and to raise a special
committee to supersede the functions of the Fi-
nance Committee is unprecedented. I hope the
otder wiH be taken up and indefinitely postponed.
Mr. Howes ot Ward 18— I bf.ve arrived at much
the same conclusion as that of the gentleman from
Ward 22; but by starting from au entirely ciffer-
entpoint. The gen'leman begins with a statement
that he doe3 not think any economy can bo affect-
ed or words to that effect— and no great improve-
ment mide in ihe City Government, and upon
those premises he thinks the committee unneces-
sary. Now, sir, lam of the onposiie opinion. I
believe some improvement can be made, that a
large reduction cau be made in our expenditures,
2()
COMMON COUNCIL,
and for th it leaeon l am opoosed to the commit-
tee. The Ifflculn L< tbat tbe older gives tbe com-
tee to» muca work-to do. Lbe Caanr bus placed
mo — pci baps unworthily— ui i' in 'lie Committee on
Salaries. Now, if tin- special committee L i> <> un-
dertake :iie decision ol whai toe salaries
of city officers shall be, shot has the
standing committee to do? So far as i can find
out, our ^<.ik »ill have to bs done within the next
two 01 three mooton: the orders are passed a a
theie th salaries resi foi a year. Now, it this
.special committee is to fix the saiarits, our com-
mittee migbt as well adjourn, it i - for lhat rea-
son, ,ii ■ because we bare anothei committee to
attend co the financial pact of tbe ord r that I
think the special committee un eeessary.
Ihe ordei was taken from the table.
Mr. Bowes moved its indenoite postponement,
upon which qui scion Mr. day called for the yeas
and nay-..
Mr. S|>ei.ci lev of Ward 19 offered the following
as a substitute:
Ordered, That the various standing committees
od the various departments be committees to in-
vestigate the salaries and expeooitures id the
various departments, and report what retren b-
men i can be u. ad:-, tbe report lobe submitted ro
tbe City ton icil prior to action upon iDe general
apo' opriations.
Mr. Hoves— Is the substitute in order while a
motion to indefinitely postpone is in order.
Toe President— A motion ro airier d tUces pre-
cedence of a moti'u to indefinitely postpone.
Mi. Spboceley— The leason 1 offer the sub.-titute
is that if the committee is appointed, they
could n't rapoit for a year to come, if they went
into tin - business thoiougblj ; whereas the stand-
ing commit-e-s might simplify this matter very
much by gome througn their various departments
and reporting if any letrencbtuent is necessaiy.
Mr. Gray— I don't caie about bringicg on any
great debate upoa this matter; out gentlemen
cer ainly don't understand the motive I had in
introducing the ordei. It the substitute is
aclop.ed it leaves the case just where ic always
has been, and we shall goon the .-ame. My ob-
ject is t-utirely different — to bring forward tbe
most rigid economy. I differ entirely from the
gentleman from Ward 22. I am in favor of most
rigid economy this year, and I believe the otly 7/ay
to accomplish that is to have a special committee
appointed, as my older contemplates. I believe if
we nave a proper commit tee, who will devote their
whole time to it, it i,ecessary, tor th? next week
or two, they cau accomplish the purpose of
that order;" and in two or three weeks
we could have a report from all the de-
partments in regard to tbe salaries, which
will be better undei stood by members here
than toey can understand tbem now. The sub-
stitute proposes to refer it to the several coru-
mitcees. Why, sir, every gentleman here ktows
well enougD toat the stanciiug committees usually
look upon the appropriations tor the diffident de-
nartmeots as their pet schemes, and they defend
them hers ano try to k. ep them fiom bring cut
oown. My object is entirely different. I want a
special cornmittae not interested in auy depart-
ment. I am iior after any particular department,
or any particular man in City Hall. My oi ly pur-
pose is to see if we can reduce the expenses of
th- city of Boston. I hope the substitute will Dot
prevail.
Mr. Peabody of Ward 11 — The appropriation
bills are re po> ted about the first of March, and
generally contain about sixty or seventy items,
ana some of great magnitude. Tbe duty of this
special committee muse be performed iu some-
what less than sixty days, and some of the items
require at least three weeks for investigation by
tbe Finance Committee. Take tbe salaries of
school teaches, about a million and a quarter of
dolla'-s; tne Paving Department, about, a million;
the Fire Department, five or six hundred thou-
sand. Tbe Health Department, four or five hundred
thousand; any person can >ee ihatrequiringspecial
committee to make anything like an intelligent
and thorough investigation of these departments
in Jess than sixty clays, would be bke telliag them
to walk to San Francisco and back in the same
time. It would be an niter impossioility for
them to do it, and for that reason it seems to me
the substitute would be more effective than the
original order.
Mr. Shaw of Ward 12— The Council should not
be misled in this matter. It is perfectly well un-
derstood by those familiar with the practice in
this Government, that the heads of departments
state the amounts or the appropriation, and ihat
it is the duty of the committees to coi -iderthem,
and cut them down as they Bee fi ; that is what
committees are for. ItLsu'tb} tbe Ipse dixit nt
my friend tiom the Ninth Ward ; nor is it by tbe
Ipsi dixit of tbe beans of departments. They
merely submit th° amounts, and it is the outv of
the committees on tbe several departments to con-
i whether the suns are ngr.t, to pass upon
tbem and to report ihem to the City Government.
The orcei of ta - srentleman from Soiuh Boston is
a ver\ proper one. It is in the intorest of econo-
my. Sir, the Great ami General Court, for the
last two or three da\s, has beea preach-
ing and practising economy, as well a^ e txl
this infe in body, so o speak. \s representa-
tives id Ui • topic, it is our duty 10 committee to
cooslner these appropriations, ana say whether
rhey are rUht or not. Suppose you have done me
the honor— as you have doue me the honor, and I
call it an honor; you couio u't have done me more
houor, or put me in a place of more usefulness—
to place me up m tbe Committee on F^rnes; and,
as a member of that coinaiiuee, it is my duty to
consider vnetner the appropriations mentioned
bv that dt ;ai meat are to be §100,000 or $300,000.
You have don- me the distinguished honor to
place a e -where, of all uiaces in the worm, I de-
sire to be— upon the Committee on Water, where
I had u't cU earned I should ever be placed, and
did n't aspire to it. It is my ciuty. as an humble
memberof that committee., o's tat e whet er I agree
toanappf. priationot §5,000,000 01 §500,000. 1 hat is
my duty. I approve tbe sentiments of be gentle-
man f i omSouth Boston, and 1 hope his ideas wil not
be ignored, but be properly considered, ana when
these appropriations shell come up, that be shall
have his voice, and, if necessary, a committee
appointed. Alter all tbat committee shall have
revolted, ic is the duty of tbe individual commit-
tees to consider whether oi not tbe approonauoos
named are li^bt. They may cut them down or
recommend that they be laiger.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9— At the last meeting I
said rt seemed to me rhat these matters oiiavht to
be lett to the regular Committees on Finac.ce and
Salaries, as it was th-ir proper business to attend
to these particular subjects, and to take them
awav and give them to a special committee
would be removing their reuular business. At
the same time .-here Sboulu be no uncertain
sound as to t'.ie opicion of this Common Council
upon tbe matter of economy, and I had proposed
to offer a couple of orders as a substitute to that
offered by the gentleman from Ward 14. I will
read the orders for the information of the Coun-
cil :
'•Ordered, Thit the Committee on Finance be
instructed to examine carefully and teport what
retrenchment, if any. can b« made in the appro-
pnations for chf ensuing 5ear, in order tbat the
expenses of the city may be reduced to the lowest ■
limit consistent witj the due administration of its
affars; and it is further ordei ed tnat all commit-
tees having cfcatge of particular apptop lations be.
requested to coopeiate with tbe Committee on Fi-
nance if this matter."
"Ordered, That the Committee on Salaries be in-
struct sd to inquire aod report what changes, if
any, can and ought to be made in any salanes paid
by the city, in oider either to equalize such sala-
ries, or to reoucs them in amount in the interest
of eco. omy."
It seems to me, Mr. President, that those two
orders would meet tbe case.
Mr. Gray suggested the withdrawal of both tne
substitute of Mr. Speuce-lcy and his own original
order, to which Mr. Spenceley acceded, and no
objection being made, tbev were withdrawn.
Mr. Crocker then offered the two orders read
by him.
At th* suggestion of Mr. Gray, tbe orders were
each amended by adding the words "and that tbe
committee be reques ed to report previous to tb.9
passage of the appropnation bill," Mr. Crocker
accepting tbe amendments.
The orders were then read twice and passed.
Stncup.
WEST KOXBURY ENGINE HOUSE.
Mr. Morrison of Ward 11 offered the following:
Ordered, That there be paid the heirs of J. H.
Billings and others the sum of §33.88, the same
being amount of interest accrued on §1504.44, tbe
amount required to purchase 16,275 feet of laad on
Mt. Vernon street, West Roxbury, as a site for an
engiue house, tbe said §33.88 to be m additioi to
the purchase money; to be charged to the special
appropriation for Nov Engine Houses.
JANUARY 13
1876.
31
Mr. Mo r rison— The Building: Comtnitte? agreed
to purchase t in lauo last y -ar, and did so at a very
lowfignre. They employej a geutleuian to rothe
business for them, kuowiug that be could ban ile
toe mit'tr bett r than mey could, and he will
give an explanation ot the o oer.
Mr. W llcutt of Ward 23— Tris purcnase was
effecied un pr an administrators sale, the reims
of which were that the pioperty shou'd be paid
for upoo the approval o£ the deea Dy toe City
Solicitor. There was some delay, owing to the
auiouct ot business in thi 'raids of the convey-
ancer at that tiao^, aid toe examination did oot
proceed *s rapialy as is usual in such case;. Un-
der these circumstances th administ ator tbn. its
the iuterest justly dup, and should bepaiciur. lil the
t>me of settlement. Ordinarily, this a ,tt<-r misrht
have been adjusted i ». a very short ti one, out by the
accumulation of business it could u t he done be-
fore. 1 UiiuK he claim is a just one, a< a I trust
the order will pass, that the com nittee may pro-
ceed with the plans an i specifications which are
reaiy. It is (issuable that the engine house
should b- eiected as sooa as oossible
Oj motion of Mr. Morrison, the rule was sus-
pend d aud the order vvas ieadt«ice and passed.
Sent up.
THE DEPARTMENT WATER ACCOUNTS.
Mr. Howes of Wain 18 offered the following:
Orceied, I'bat i tie Com rantee o.. Oidmarees be
requested to consid-r tho expe :iency of tepoitiog
an ordinance amending sections 46 a.,d 47 ot the
onimauce in relation to wat, r, so tnat the vaiious
city departments aow charged for the use of
water may oe relieved of that charge.
Mr. Howes— Tne me nbers <>f tne Council woo
were h-re last yeai may reco'iect that when ihe
aprropnatiou bill lo< the fin ncial year 1875-6
came up, I uojeoted to a certain item in the ap-
propriation for Fire Department, about $103,000.
That charge «a* for water, and the facts are
tbes-: The Fire Denartaoent pays to tbe Cochitu-
ate Water Board, tor ihe use of wat r for extin-
guishing fires— first, for nater, §53,310; second, 'or
carrot hyu rants, §39,540; m a 1, §98,850 1. pavs
to the Mystic Water Boa d §3078 foi water, and
§2052 for care of h dra ts, making a total ot §103,-
800 that the Fire Department pays for the use of
water. The chaises laid dowo by the ordi-
nance are thai ''he Fire Department shall
pay §18 a year for tne use <f wats 1- for
every hydrant in the city of Boston, and also §12
for the care and protection tbac the W.ter Boa d
may give, it. That care aud protection , for a i.uao-
b>-r o'' years has consisted of spending §300, or
somes here tlie.ea ^outs, for salt to tie used in
spunking- on the hydrant overs to keep then
from fret-zing in wihtet. This system originated
some years' a >>o in i be desire of the Water Board
to have their income appear as large as possible.
Probably otie y D ar their nicone was small aid
the.'- looked around to see what possible means
they coulo take to it crease it, and it fell
upon the Fire 1) partment, so that t was then
char j red with §50,000 or $60,000; and as ludraots
have been located from time to time tn» amount
has swelled, until now it is about §104,000,
and probablv next year will be §110.0P0. Now,
tb ■ cbarges tor water ar* bas9ri u uallv u yon tbe
amount u«eti. We kno *> about the price charged
where the My "tic is use , because tu-re it
is localized. Iu East Bo r ton the cost of wat- r is
§78,000; in ebarlestown, $112,000; in Chelsea, §51,-
000; in Somerville, §37,000. It »»ill oe s-e,. then
that t39 Fire Depa.tme t pays for the use < f Co-
cbituate ana Myotic water very n-arly what the
citizens of Charlestown pay for their water for
aomestic and manufacttfiug purposes, which
uses rather mo<-e than a tnillion gallons a nay. No
one can pretend that the Fi e Department uses
that quantity. The Fire Co nrni siooers mane an
estimate of tne amount used in one or two engine
houses, and intend to carrv it farther in 1876, on
all the engines. They took Engio No. 4, on Bul-
fir-ch street, which is possibly called upon offcner
than any other, because it is eentiallv located,
and found that it was employed thete sixty-seven
hours during the year 1875, a r an ayerag u-e of
water of 200 gallons pet tniu ite, or about 800 000
gallons. One of tbe engines in Roxbury use"
420,000 gallons, one in Cbarle«towo 504,000, and o e
in South Boston 336,000. It will b.- see., that
if we bad365eo2i'ies in the citv of Boston, io-
steid of souue twenty three or fou> , aud all of
them used a:) much as the one in Bulfinco street
does, *e have altogether the same amount of
water toat Cba.-lestosvn uses. And \et the Fire
Department pays for water very nearly what that
portion of tbe city aoe3. Theo th°rc is a charge
also made upon the Health Department tor water
used in drinking, trou-h and street fountaus,
which amounts in the aggregate to §800 or §900 a
year. I oo not believe in the piii.eiple of oae de-
partment, charging another. Why might not
the Fire Department charge the D-partaent of
PuDlic Buildings for putting out fites in school-
houses? U would be fully as good. The Health
Department mighr chaige the Street De-
partment for sweeping the stteets and preserving
the macatainized and Nieolson paved roai ays.
The Department of Street Lamps might charge
the Pol ce Department for lighting the su ets,
because they help to protect the ci'v at night.
Any department migot get up an account against
aacther m this way, with a debit aud creoit side.
All of ttiese charges aie for the Com hod good a id
public necessity, nil not for the aggrandizement
ot one department. The whole thing reminds me
of a man and his wite who went into a joint busi-
ness on abarrtl of whiskey and fift^e .cents, and
treaed for drinks alternately, and then th^eo-
nundium was to find how much mojuey they had
made. This system of bookkeeping in" tbe city is
a peculiar oue, and perplexes the mind of the
Council, it seems to me tbat a la'ge atnomt of
crediting is doue that does not exist.
Mr. Gray of Ward 14—1 have no objection to
the order beicg considered by the- Committee on
Ordi laaces, but if I understand the matter, tbe
act by wnich the Water Boatd was established
provider that the interest ant: a certain per cent.
of tbe water debt <lull be p.'.id yearly from the
income of tbe Water Board. If ta- gentleman's
order prevails, tb« income den vtd f.om the Fire
and Health departments would have to go upon
the •> atei rates, and the poor people would have
to pay more to. water. I believe it is better for it
to go into tbe taxes as it does now. There ate
two sides to the question, but I am willing to let
it go to the committee.
Mr. Jaques of War J 11—1 hope the orcer will
not pass so far as itrelat-s to a committal to tha
Committee on Ordinances. If it is to be refer red
at ail, it should be to tbe Committee on Water,
because I think that, whn that eo i.mittee have
considered it, the y wi'l cooi« to a conclusion ad-
verse to that expressed by the introduce: of this
order. Br,yuiid what ba- b^eu remarked by the
gentleman who has just taken his seat, there is
another object fjr keeping the cil? accourts— for
it is simply a met bou of bookkeeping. It is that
it may be upon record and nndet stood by every
tax'iaver in the city v, h t tbe exact expense ot
carrying on eaeh department amounts to. The
amount of the charge is a question for
the consideration of those who make it. I
am not prepared to say that the amonnt
charged the Fir-, Department is correct ; but that
the principle ot keeping the accoun-.s in t-hat way
is coire.'t I hare little doubt. We wish to know
how much it costs r o carry on the Fire Department,
for mstanc". Besides the use of tbe water Iberfl
i" great expense liivolv-d in taking care of aud
repai i g hydranr-, and other matteife of that
kind ; and so it is in other departments. This sys-
tem of keeping accounts is a gsneral one, aod in
accordance «ith that pursued in other depart-
merts, which are charged with materials and
supplies received from other departments,
so that in the Auditor's a-mual report these
things are clearly shown. It seems higb.lv proper
that the system should be contiuued. It is on the
same principle that a man making extensive re-
pairs on hts ;;ri\ te house charges theamouutto
that bouse, so as to lio* ko,' much it costs.
The gentleman may sav it make-* no oiffereoce in
the cost; but it does make a. difference in the
means of infoitnatiou.
Mr. Crocker of War I 9—1 move to amend so
thae the order will go to the Committee oo Water,
msteao of the Committee ou Ordinances. As a
member ot thj Committee on Ordinances, it seems
to me it is not a proper subject to go ro them.
That coa mittee has to lo-.k after matters of a le-
gal nature, and see that ordinances are properly
drawn and don't conflict with other; , or the city
chafer But this question of how mauy gallons
of water a steam engine consumes, and some oth-
ers suggested by the gentleman from Ward 18,
M>ouM seem out of place in the Committee ou Or-
dinances.
Mr. Howes — I accept the Amendment. In reply
to the gentleman fiom Ward 11, I would say that
if this method of keeping iccoiu ts were pursued
in all the other departments of tbe city, as he sug-
gests, it would be a good thing ; but it is not, that
2^
COMMON COUNCIL.
is, in tin: bame cbaractertbat it is here. Now, fol-
lowing oat tbis suggestion, some biiUiaot finan-
cie> nigh; go into the Winter Board and sugg. st
that tti<- am mot < iiai iced pei byoraul be unit- teed
to $160, ami in that way pay off the enure water
debt, l thin' Borne changes shr.uld be made, but
whether or not they snoulo be as radical as pro-
posed is for the eoiiiinictee to detenmoe. With
the permission of mi CouneiJ 1 would turther
.mi. mi the ordsr so that ii will read, "re'ieved
V'bollv or in pari."
The order a< amended was read twiee and
passed. .Sent up.
EXPENSES OK COMMITTEES AM) J1EM11EKS.
On motion of Mr. Peabody of Ward 11 the order
to authorize the Prei iuen to approve bills irr ex-
penses o£ Common Council, its standing commit-
tees i.ot in charge of any appropriation, and of in-
dividual members, m the discharge or duty, the
amount to be chat lied to Contingent Fund, Couu-
moo Loine.il, was taneu from the table.
Mr. Gray of Ward 14—1 hope this oroei v, ill not
pass,— not that 1 warn to take anything away from
tbe President) but becatue 1 beh-ve we should re-
fuse :o pass tl.isordei. 1 uon't belitve tuat in a
year like this we will nave any occasion lor any
bibs. I am opposed to junketing, aud I hope we
shall not pass the onler. 1 move that when the
qu- stion he taken it be by yeas and nays.
The ci>ll for the ye3.s and nays was lost— 9 for,
39 against.
Mr. Train of Ward 20—1 hopi the order will
pass. It is a customary ordei , ano certainly after
the iem«ik' made atd the disposition shown by
all members 10 observe the strictest economy, I
don't think tnere is any danger of the President
having to approve an improper or unworthy bill. I
don't propose to go into a discussion of the pro-
priety of refreshments or junketing; but chere
are some necessary expenses, as every gentleman
know*', and I don't think any gentleman proposes
to exceed what ii strictlv proper *,nd required. 1
thiuk tbe order is a good one.
Mr. Gray— The gentleman says this is a custom-
ary order. It is something that has gr.iwn up be're
within a few years. I never saw such an orcer
when I was here before. The Pre-ident always
had the power to uppiove his personal bills, but
the Common Council never had the power to con-
tract bills for junketing, and I don't think they
should nave. I only w^nt to put this thing right.
The Alueimen or the Mayoi will Lot refuse to ap-
prove all nrcessary bills that the Common Coun-
cil ask tbem to approve. This order will give
any u ember of the Council the privilege of run-
niug up a bill at Parker's or Youtg'e, and the
President has got to make a personal quarrel or
approve the bill. At the last meeting of the
Couccil, a few years age a bill of $2800
was bi ought in to tne Piesident of the
Council and he refused to approve it. It was
brought in there and every member was tried to
be prevailed upon to sign that bill, «na by hard
work Mr. Young got a majority of the members to
do so. 1 don't want such a bill as that to come up
this year. I dou't want any member to incur car-
riage or junketing bills ana then ask the Presi-
dent to approve the bills. I believe it is nonsense
to go home in carnages from the Council meet-
ings. It was cone last year, and the carriage bill
was immense, accoroing to the Auditor's report.
I believe the horse cars run as late as we remain
here; and if not, let us walk home like men, or
pay our own carnage hire.
Tne order was declared passed.
Mr. Gray doubted the vote. A division was had
and the order was rejected— 20 foi, 25 against.
THE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATES.
Mr. Gragg of Ward 2? offered the following :
Ordered, That the Committee on Finance be di-
rected to include in their report upon the aonual
appropriation bill, for the ensuing financial year,
the fact whether the amounts asked for in the re-
ports of the various departments are cue same as
originally asked for by tne various heads of de-
partments, or committees in charge of the depart-
ments, ana whether the original estimate of each
head of a department or committee has been re-
duced or increased by the Finance Committee,
ana to what amount, and for what reasons.
Mr. Gragg explained that be had been induced
to offer tbeorder bv the state on nt- ma te in du>
<u>sio , that the beads ot dipaitment-j furnish
tbe items ot appropriation, lie was m favor of
rigid retrenchment and economy, and tbe only
way to secure it is to get tnis lutoimation. If the
committees ire to work econoaiiea.ly, he wanted
10 known; and he wantrd to kno v whether or
not a committee tned to get $'<00,000 more than is
necessary, a jd wbttbrr the Finance Committte
had refused it.
Mi . Swcetser of Ward 17 opposed ibe order as
uncecrssary. Tbe beas of departments and
committees ask for appropriations, the Finance
Committee examines tbem, and if tbev are cut
down the committee should n't be obliged tore-
port the reasons atd put tbe committees or beads
of departments under oMoquy. The Commnree
on Finance always give their attention to such
matters.
Mr. Sauipson ■ f Ward 17 corrected an apparent
nnsapoiebeosioii. The Auditor's estimates are
not referred to ihe Cominit f e.-. on Finance, but to
a joint special committee coL'sittiog ot the Com-
mittee on Fi.ance and five Ala rmen specially
appointed tor the purpose.
Mr. Jaquss of Ward 21 said a good many brave
woids had been uttered in regard to economy
dun 3g tbe past two evenings, au'i he ti usted there
would be deeds when the appropriation bid came
up. The orders offered to supersede regular com-
mittees spring from a goo i pin pose, a 3d if their
spirit is earned out tnev might as veil cispeose
with committees, go into Committee of ihe Whole,
ano discuss everything here. Ihe committees
are to save tince, and report the result of their in-
vestigation ■;. Each membsi c*u ask questions and
obtain information on tbe floor. Such orders as
this only served the purpose ot shoving the zeal of
those offering them.
Mi. Peabody of Ward 11 said the order is incon-
sistent with usual pi acice in the Council. Tbe
Finance Committee does not report the appropri-
ation bill. The Audit. r'j estimates are referred
to tbe Finance Committee, with such as the Board
of Aldermen may join.
Ihe order was refused a second reading.
EXCLUSION OF STRANGERS.
Mr. Shaw of Ward 12 offered the following:
Ordered, That tbe City Messenger be instructed
to admit no porson upon tbe floor of the Council
chamoer, or into the anteroon of tbe same, who
is not a member of the City Government, oi per-
sons properly introduced, while the Council is in
session.
Mr. Shaw explained that be had been requested
to offer the order, as it is a difficult matter for the
City Messenger to object to any person coming
upon tne floor of the Council chamber, and he is
freqtitnt.lv embarrassed by parties whose place is
in the gallsribS. Frequently members are mter-
rupteo by conversation in the anteroom or on the
floor by persons not men bers. He did not desire
to discri annate, but certain parliamentary rules
must be observed.
Mr. Howes of Ward 18 desired the term "prop-
erly introduced" explained, and to know whether
the Me. senger could exclude any one, even the
reporters*.
Mr. Shaw replied, and said the City Messenger
would not exclude inemoers of the Government or
the regular reporters.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9 suggested that reporters
might be excepted.
At the suggestion of Mr. Gray, Mr. Sbaw amend-
ed the ordei by adding "always excepting those
persons who are peimitted by tbe President of
tbe Council."
The order as amended was passed.
RULES AND ORDERS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
Mr. Sib'ey of Ward 5 rubmittPd a report from
tbe Special Committee on Rules and Orders of toe
Common Council (City Doc. No. 14), iecommending
the aaoption of the rules and orders of 1875, witb
an amendment to section 43, by inserting after the
woro "ordnance," in the first line of the pocket
edition of the Rules ana Orders, the words "what-
ever and no."
The repoit was accepted and an order covering
the rules and orders was adopted.
On motion of Mr. Parker of Ward 21 tbe Council
aajoumed.
BOARD 'OF ALDEHMEN,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen,
JANUARY 17, 1876.
Regular meeting at four o'clock P. If., Alder-
niau Clark, Chairman, presiding.
JURORS DKAWN.
Ninety-t vo jurors were drawn f«>r thaJanuaiy
term ot the Supreme Judicial Court.
EXECUTIVE DOMINATIONS (ONFIKMEI).
Special Felice Officer— John Garrity, Bellevue
avenue and l'ark street, Longwood.
PETITIONS REFERRED.
To the Committee on Licenses. Augustus L.
Chase, foi >eave to maintain a shooting gallery at
1348 Washington street.
To the Joint Committee on Assessors' Depart-
ment. He.rs of T. W. Snow, for remission of cer-
ta-n taxes of 1874.
To the Committee on Bridges. James Adams
et a/.,th_t a portion of Chelsea .Bridge be re-
paired.
To the Committee on Armories. Compauy D,
First Regiment or Infautryfor an appropnatiou
lor repairs of Armory.
To the Committee on Paving. E. Hodge & Co.,
for leave to move two iron boil-os from .Liverpool
street to the Atlautic Works wharf.
Bridget Lacy, forjabarement of assessment for
sidewalk oo estate of Thoaas Lacy, deceased.
To the Joint Committee on Claims. A. D. Pat-
tee & Co., to be paia for iojunes to their carriage
on Beonet street.
Annie M. Brown, to be paid for services ren-
dered th« city oy E. R. Brown, deceaseJ, in mak-
ing plan of coal shed at Deer Islanl.
K. L. Frotoinghain, tor remission of tax on es-
tate No 8 Garland street, in Suffolk-street District.
To the Committee on Streets on the part of the
Board. Alary A. Wilson, for abatement of her
betterment assessment.
To the Committee on Health on the part of the
Board. Charles VV. Galloupe, tor leave to cou-
sttuct a cellar below graae at comer of Water aud
Broad streets.
Petitions to occupy stable* as follows : James
C. McKee, new brick, four hoi ses, Orient avenue ;
Charles E. Paige, oh -wooden, -wenty horses, 612
Fifih street; James Evans, old wooden, six horses,
684 Second stieet; South Boston Iron Company,
new woo >en, three horses, 60 Dorchester avecue;
James W. Hale, old brick, fifteen additional
Horses 6 Boylston square; John A. Sawyer, ola
wooden, five additional horses, Asntord street,
Ward 22; Wairen D. Vinal, new wooden, two
horses, uew street in Allstor. Waro 22; Charles
A. Dcdge, new wooden, two horses, new street in
Aliston, Wdid22.
Remoastracce of Jacob Riess et al. agiinst
erection of stable by Laadei & Marr, on Nintu
street, corner of E straet.
PAPERS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL.
Petitions were referred in concurrence.
Report of Cotnmitt-e on Joint Rules and
Ordeis. (City Document No. 7.) Order passed in
concurrence.
Report nominating Alderman Clark and Messrs.
Curtis Guinl ano Benjamin H. Ticknor as Tius-
tecs of tba Public Library, came up recommitted,
Mr. Ticknor having declined service as such
trustee. Concurred.
R ports nominating Alaerman O'Brien, and
Messrs, Fierce ot Wara 18, and Sprague as Trus-
tees of City Hospital; nominating Alderman
Viles no Messrs. Sa.tnpson and Cushing as Direc-
tors for Public Institutions; nominating Alder-
man Bigelow and Messrs. Sweetser and Richard
Pope- as Trustees of Mr. Hope Cemttery; and
nominating Alderman StebDins and Messrs. Mor-
ri'cn and Parker as vncmbeis of the Cochituate
Water Board. Severally accepted in concurrence.
Osder tor Cominitt e on Waiei to consider the
expediency of reporting an amecdment to the or-
dinance on wat8r, which will relieve the seveial
depaitmenta from paying for the use of water.
Pas ed in coDcuxreDce.
Order to pay the heirs of J. H. Billings $33.88,
beiog interest on amount (§1,505.44) required to
purchase land on Mt. Vernon street, West Rox-
fcury, io be u-;ed as an engine-house site. Passed
in concurrence.
Order for Committee on Finance to consider and
report what retrenchment can be made in tne Sev-
eral departments, so that the business of the city
may be conducted "on the lowest limit consistent
A-ith a due administration of its affairs." Passed
in concurrence.
Order for Committer on Salaries to report "what
ebai ges, if any, can and ougtit to be made in any
salaries paid by the city, in order either to equal-
ize or reduce them in tae interest ol economy" ;
aid committee to report before presenting the
Salary bill.
Alderman Stebbins— It seems to me that the re-
port ot the committee to be of any value to the
City Couocil, should be made at an eaiiier day
thin that contemplated by the order. 1 notice
that tbe oroei provides that the committee shall
up 'it bet' re the passage of the appropriation
bills. Now, it s^ems to me, that the committee
should be requested to report before tae salary
bibs are made up, for the reason that the several
departments, in making thrir applications for ap-
propnatioas for the coming year, will base the
gi os- amount upon the salaries to be paid in tbe
several departments, and to meet this objection I
would offer an amejoment —
Strike out all after the word "instructed," and
insert the following: "To report the annual salary
oroers on or before February 1st, together with
such recommendatious concerning the salaries es-
tablished by tbe several committees and boards of
tae City Government as said committee may
t hints proper."
rhat will bring tbe wnole question of salaries
immediately before the City Courcil to pass upon
before the annual appiopriations are considered.
Aldei man Burrage— It seems to me that the
amendment gives the Salary Committee but a
short time for the work they have to oo. It is a
matter of considerable importance, and the time
allowed will be only a fortnight. 1 move to
ameod the am-ndment by making the time the
15th ot February . Certainly a month will not be
too long a time to consider the .subject as it de-
serves.
Alderman Stebbins— I would only reply that tde
ordinance requires that tbe departments shall
makeup and submit to the Audi toi, before the
15th of February, their annual estimates for the
year. I had the hoaor ;o be chairman of the
Committee on Salaries last year, and we submit-
ted our report ki the first, meeting in Febiuary.
I don't see anv difficulty in the way of reporting
at once.
Alderman Burrage changed the time of his
amendment to Feb. 7, which was accepted by Al-
derman Stebbins.
The amendment was adopted and the order as
amended was passed. Sent down for coacurrence
in the amendment.
ANNUAL REPORTS OF BRIDGE SUPERINTENDENTS.
Annual reports of Superintendents of Bridges
were leceived giving the number of times the
draws have been opened as follows: Broad wav
Bridge, 5077; North Harvard street, 566; Warren
Bridge, 5550; Char'es River Br'dge, 7550; Cam-
bridge-stieet Bridge, 1957; Western-avenue Bridge,
944; Chelsea-street Bridge, 1987,
Sent down.
ANNUAL REPORT OF STREET COMMISSIONERS.
The following (City Doc. No. 9) was received :
The Stieet Commissioners present their proceed-
ings during the municipal year 1875.
Alterations in the city streets exceeding $1000 in
expense, placed io tne order of th Mr estimated
cost, were as follows:
The widening ot Pearl stre3t, udou certain re-
served land on the southerly side, from Franklin
to High stieet, $31,613; laying out of Terrace
street upon the easterly side of Parker Hill, $26,-
841.30; straightening of Boston street, near Dor-
chester avenue, $10,000; widening of Hanover
avenue, $7290; widening of Savin-Hilt avenue
JANUARY 17, 1876
24
from Pleasant street to the Old Colony Railway,
$6800; exrecsion of Clifton street to George street
at Shirley street, $6767.85; widening of Charles-
towo street at the coiner of Causeway street,
$6655.50; laying nut and widening of Tremont
place from Trem one street to Carv street, $4600;
widening of Bow street, ot Cnarlestown, $4186.75,
extension of West Cottage stieet across Dorches-
ter Broofc, $2809.753 wide ing of Tremont street
from Gore avenue to the Boston & Providence
Railroad, $3688; widening of Gore avenue from
Tremont street, $3486; extension of Ashland street
to South street, $2512.50; exiersion ot Reed's
couitto Hartopp place, $2118.60; laying out and
widening of Fort avenue, $2000; widening of Cur-
tis street and ifs extansion to Saratoga street,
$1753.75; widening of Baxter street from D to E
street, $1608.55; laying: out of Central avenue fiom
River street to Milton line, $1454; widening of
Blancbard street, $1294; widemog of Blue-Hill
avenue, $1102.50; and the widening of Roxbury
street at Pyncbon street, for $1000. The total is
$130,502.05.
Operations of a smaller bind »eie slight widen-
ings upon Nepon^et avenue, Pond Mreei, Auburn
street, Avery street, Akron street ana Cottage
street, the extension of Corev street to Weld stieet,
of Heath place to Wald en street, and the laying
out of Rockland street west of Walnut avenue,
ana of Cary street < 7om Ruggles street to Tre-
mont place; their estimated cost was $4039.
These figures show the total estimated cost of
the year'" work to have been $134,621.05.
Private streets releasee, to the city for accept-
ance were, in R'.xbury, Fountain, Mavwood, Edge-
wood, Savin, Cleveland, part of Townsenc, Vale
and Wakulla streets, Weld avenue and Blancbard
pUce; in South Boston, Pacific, Bolton (E to F),
Dexter, Boweo (E to Dorchester), Athens (D to E),
Frederick, Rogers (Dorchester to Preble), and
portions of Power, Jackson and Washburn streets:
in Dorchester, Oakman, Me. Vernon, Gleu and
Trull streets, and Thetford and Michigan avenues;
in West Roxbury, Newbern, Hawiborn, Corey
and Paik stieeis; and in the old city propei, Hay-
ward place, Hereford street from Beacon to Marl-
borough street, Cortes stieet. Deacon street,
Richmond aad Clinton streets extended to At-
lantic avenue, Lime street, Hunticgtoa avenue
fiom Boylston to Camden street, Commonwealth
avenue from Exeter street to West Chester park,
Newbuiy street trom Dartmouth to Exeter street,
and Exeter street trom Commonwealth avenue to
Newbury stieet.
Tue following betterments ware as-'essed within
the vear :
Devonshire suet, $20,300; Oti« street, $18,600;
Frankliu street, $68,040; Arch street, $106,550;
Hawley street, $94,800; Mirk street, $78,600; Fed-
eral street, $81,320; Oliver street, $37,775; Pearl
street, $27,440; Post Office sciuare, $26,850; Con-
gress street, $186,030; Quincy place, $3725; Broad
street, $57,670 ; Washington street, $28,010; Essex
street, $19,625; Foster street (Brighton), $5970;
Eastern avenue, $20,000; Magazine street, $3330;
Eustis street, $2290. Total, $886,925.
The commissioners in a previous reDorc took
occasion to gather together the estimates for the
various improvements they had effected ia the
streets burned over by the fire in November, 1872.
They beg leave in repeating them now to contrast
with them the betterments which have been as-
sessed as the share the abutters are called upon to
pay directly towards the cost.
Estimated Bet.
_ cost, assessed.
Washington street widened, Milk
to Summer street $338,547.00 $73,225
High street widened 54,302.08 5,100
Lindall street widened 80,280.00 29,650
Purchase street widened 93,913.00 31,810
Summer street widened 294,133.00 31,620
Devonshire street widened 98,051.00 20,309
Otis street widened 55,192.00 18,600
Franklin street widened 314.892.00 68,040
Arch street widened and extended. 334,600.00 106,550
Hawley street widened 277,730.00 94,800
Milk street widened 297,4«2.oy 78,600
Federal street widened 341,869.90 81,320
Congress street widened 514,795.00 186,030
Oliver street extended to Kilby
street 131,220.00 37,775
Pearl street extended to Congress
street 170,300.00 27,440
Post Office square laid out ^112,010.00 26,850
§uincy place extended 12,784.00 3,725
road street widened 780,887.25 57,670
Lincoln street widened near Sum- No bet'ntg
merstreet 24,250.50 assses'd.
Chauncy street widened corner
Summer street 42,520.00 " "
Devonshire street widened between No bet'nts
Franklin and Milk streets 15,180,09 asses'd
Water street widened, Devonshire
to Congress street 211,675.00 " "
Matthews street widened corner
Congress streeet 1,530.00 " "
Congress street widened, Water to
Statestreet 484,626.00 " "
Pearl street widened near Milk
street 67,854.0V " "
$5,150,602.75 $979,105
Respectfully su omitted,
For the Board of Street Commissioners,
Newton Talbot,
Chairman.
Sent down.
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF CITY SURVEYOR,
(Being City Doc. 10) was received and sent down.
The amount expended duiing the year has been —
Expenses of City Pioper, South and East Boston,
office at City Hail, $24,360.60; expenses of the
Roxbury branch office, $7517.59; expenses of the
Dorchester branch office, $8,358.58; expenses of
the West Roxbury bianrh office, $7127.88; ex-
penses of the Oharlestown branch office, $2366.11;
expenses ot the Brighton blanch office, $2346.17;
total expenditure from appropriation for survey-
ing for 1875, $52,076.93.
in the report is a list of the plans made and
those in the office.
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF
SEWERS
(being City Doc. 11) was received and sent down.
The amount expended his been—
From the sewer appropriations $285,825.50
From the Northampton-street loan 2,725.90
Total $288,551.40
The following schedules show the length, size,
bind and cost of sewers laid during the year :
City proper, 3,158 feet $11,598.36
South Boston, 2,826 " , 5,461.80
East Boston, 2,063 •' 3,235.65
Cnarlestown. 2,409 " 5,401.15
Roxbury, 33,013 " 123,171.12
Dorchester, 14,498 " 44,237.83
W. Roxbury, 11,875 " 45,596.45
Miscellaneous, 49,849.04
Total ,.69,842 feet, or \2)i miles $288,551 40
The total length of seweis in city is now about
166 miles.
Bills for assessment have been sent to the
Collector to the amount of $125,921.26
The Collector has received during the year
for assessments, etc 50,453.30
The Superintendent had collected and paid
into the treasury from entrance fees,wharf-
age, use of tools, etc 3,115.58
Total collectious $53,568.88
Duung the year 1620 permits have been given to
constructor repair drains; 67 wooden manhole
covers have beea renewed with iron and 439 man-
holes cleaned, containing 351 loads of sewage
matter.
During the year a report has been made upon
the sewerage of the city by a commission appointed
by the Mayor, and their report is now before the
public.
The ordinance in relation to assessments was
altered during the year, and the benefit derived
from sewers is now* apportioned on the area in-
stead of upon the value, of abutting lots, as for-
merly. The change has diminished the amount of
arbitrary judgment demanded in fixing values
aud reduced the htbor of equably apportioning
the cose of sewers.
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
OF PUBLIC LANDS
(being City Doc. 13) was received and sent down,
'the sales of lands during the year amounted to
$7214.45; deeos executed and delivered, 34. The
expenditures have been $4450.65. There are in
charge of the department 49,601 feet of salable
lands iu the city proper, 1,759,253 in Dorchester,
ano various lots in the outlying sections. The de-
partment has receivea during the year $2689.50.
ORATIONS ON SEVENTEENTH OF MARCH AND
FOURTH OF JULY.
Alderman O'Brien submitted a report in part
from the joint special committee to consider how
the Seventeenth of March and Fourth of July
should be celebrated, tnat in their opinion one of
the principal features of the celebration of both
occasions should be the delivery of orations, and
they recommend the passage of the following:
25
BOARD OF AJLDKRMEN
Oidered, That his Honor the Mayor and the
Chairman ot the Board of Ald-rmen be authorized
to eugage suitable persons ro deliver orations on
the Seven teentli of March aud Fourth of July
next.
Read twice and parsed. Sent down.
LANTERNS, MORTARS AND 8WINO SIGNS.
Alderman Burrage submitted reports as follows
from tue Committee on Police :
Leave Granted ro Maintain Lanterns — L>. J. At-
wood, 7IIayw-rti place: lii. DeCosia, (i7l Was bine-
ton street; Geoige R. Reicharrtt, 3 Hay ward
place; C Pennyeuick, 11 Hayward olace; O. J.
Gallagher, 63 Beach street (two lantern*).
Leave Granted to Maintain Mortais — Albert F.
Davol, 10 Main street. Cbarlestown (leave to main-
tain in present position, aod leave to withdraw on
petition so far a-, it relates to maintaining it in a
post oli the siilevalk); .: F. Crosby & Co., 1 City
square. Cbarlestown (oo conditions same as the
preceding); Smith, Doolittle & Smith, 26 Tremont
street; and cornei of Lexington and Marion
stteets. Fa«i Boston; Melvin & Badger, 43 Tem-
ple place.
All of the above to be secured in a manner sat-
isfy etory to the luspector of Buildings.
Severall' accepted.
Reuort in favor of granting leave to Jennie Col-
lins t'> swing a h nuer across Washington street,
near Asylum street, for a few day.*. Accepted.
JURY LIST TO BE REVISED.
Alderman Bun age offered the following:
Ordered, That tbe list of jurors in this city who
are qualified *o serve in the several courts of the
county of Suffolk be revised by this Board, aod be
posted in the Court House and Cltv Hall, and ha
tbereafterwards submitted to the Common Coun-
cil for revision and acceptance pursuant to law.
Read twice and passed.
FRANKLIN FUND.
Aldetman Burrage offered the following :
Ordered, That Aldermen be a committee
to examine the accouots of the (reasurer of the
Franfclin Fund.
Read twice, aud Aldermen Burrage and Bigelow
were appointed said committee.
PUBLIC BATHS.
Ald< rman Pope offered tbe following:
Ordered, Tt,at the Joint Standing Committee on
Bathing op authoriz-d to make such repairs as
mav be necersary on the several bathing houses
owned by the city, and also to employ such assist-
ance as may be necessary foi the c 5 .te and preser-
vation of said houses; the expense to be cnarged
to tbe appropriation for Public Baths.
. Read t vice and passed. Sent down.
SEALERS OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Alderman O'Brien — I find on my desk the an-
nual report o the Sealers of Weights and Meas-
ures, which I did not hear the Chairman read. I
would offer it. and move that it be referred to the
Committee on Market, Weights and Measures, as
it appears that additional legislation is necessary.
I would also say that I kuo v that the expense of
that oepattment can be leduceo, certainly one-
balf , and I hope it will be reierred to the commit-
tee for their consi delation.
The motion prevailed.
PAVING REPORTS AND ORDERS.
Alderman Bigelow submitted the following
from the Committee oo Paving:
Ordered, That tbe Superintendent of Streets be
authorized, tinier the direction of tbe Committee
on Paving, to cont, act, from time to time, fot the
purchase and exchaige of borses, tbe supply of
hay, grain, paving stones, gravel and other ma-
terials required for tue operations of the Paving
Depaitment during the present municipal year.
Read twice and passed.
Ordered, That the Superintendent of Streets be
authorized, under the direction of the Committee
on Paving, to furnish and set edgestoues and pave
sidewalks on any portions of public stteets where
the abutters agree in writing to pav one-half the
cost thereof.
Read twice and passed.
Oi ered, That the Superintendent of Streets be
authorized, under the oirection of the Committee
on Paving, to erect fences in front ot vacant lots
on public streets, where the public safety requires
tbe same.
Read twice and passed.
Oruered, That the Superintendent ot Streets be
authorized, under the direction of the Committee
on Paving, to number or renumber any street,
court oi place v'i thin the city limits, whenever in
the opinion of said committee the public con-
venience will be promoted thereby.
Read twice and passed.
Onleied, That the Superintendent of Streets be
authorized to grant permits to open tbe street j in
accordance witn the nintb and tenth sections of
che ordinance relaiing to streets.
R-ad t »ice and passed.
Ordered, That the Superintendent ot Streets be
authorized to lay cross walks and pave gutteis on
the public streets of tbe city when deemed ex-
pedient bv the Committee on Paving.
Report* on schedules ot cost of edge?tones and
sidewalks in snndiy street:;, with orders tor the
collection and assessment of the same. The or-
ders were read twice and pas«ed.
LICENSES.
Alderman Bigelow submitted reports from the
Comuiitteo on Lictnses, as follows:
Hack Licerses Granted— D. H. Sibley, front of
Equitable Building, Milk street; John Crego, front
of Miller House, CO' Der Dover and Washington
srr-ets; Robin on & Emerton, to run excursion
wagons from Haymarket square to Rowe's wharf.
Pawnbroker Licensed —Norton Nelson, 162
Broadway.
Dealer in Secord-hand Articles— William A
Saundeis, 84 Green street.
Bowling Saloon Licensed— John Silva,24% Fleet
street.
"Wagon Licenses Granted— M. J. McLaughlin,
coiner CI rendon and Montgomery streets ; Wil-
liam T. Reed, 10 Court square; Joseph Payne, 22
Kneelaud street.
Intelligence Offices Licensed— Annie Wright,
687 Washington street; Isabel McCormick, 55 Win-
chester street.
Auctioned s Licensed— Louis Congdon, 50 Con-
gress street; Michael J. Moss, 10 Hayward place.
Amusement License Granted — H. Boz Blown, to
exhibit the African Prince's Drawing Room en-
tertainment during the preset.t season.
Severally accepted.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Alderman Viles offered the folio win.' :
Ordered, That the Superintendent of Health be
authorized, dining the present municipal year, to
make contracts, subject to the supervision of the
Committee on Health, foi the puichase of
such quantities of uay or grain and tor such
horses and exchanges as his department may
from time to time require; also for such mateaal
as shall be required for tbe use of the department.
Read twice and passed. Sent down.
PERMITS FOR STABLES.
Alderman Burrage submitted reports from the
Committee on Heilth on the part of the Board,
recommending tbe graoting of permits to occupy
stables as follows: John Scales, Bowe street;
Mrs. Kate P. Currier, Union street; D. Eimel
Alther, Greei>streei court, Ward 24; Bartholomew
McGieevy, 7 Simtb-slreet place; Thomas B. Car-
ter, 730 Albanv street; Benjamin F. Cobleigh,
Rosliu avenue, near Washington street.
Severally accepted.
SEWERS.
Alderman Viles submitted the following from
the Committee on Sewers:
Ordered that $16.24 be abated Sfrom the assess-
ment upon F. H. Moore, for a sewer in passage-
way rear of Marlborough street.
Read twice and passed.
CHURCH, SUFFOLK AND NORTHAMPTON-STREET
DISTRICTS.
Aldermat) Stebbins ottered the following:
Ordered, That all unsettled claims or other un-
finished business relating to the Church street,
Suffolk-street orJNortbampton-street districts be
referred i o tbe Committee on Claims, who shall
be invested with the same powers in relation
thereto that said committee no* have in other
matters.
Alderman Stebbins— For tbe last five or six
years there has been a joint special committee of
the City Council upon the matters relating to
these aistricts. There are now but few unsettled
matters, and those are in the nature of claims.
As there are three members of tbe Committee on
Claims who served on the Committee on North-
ampton-strset District, it bas beea thought' best
to refer all such unsettled matter? to the Commit-
tee on Claims.
The order was read twice and passed. Sent
down.
JANUARY 17
1876
26
LAMP DEPARTMENT.
Alderman Stebbins, from the Committee on
Lamps, ottered the following:
Ordered, That the Superintendent of Lamps be,
and he is hereby authorized, under the approval
of the Committee on Lamps during the municipal
year 1876, to contract Tor and uurchase the lamp-
posts, brackets, burners, tips, cocks, lanterns,
tool", stable supplies, and such othei articles as
shall be (ound necessary for the carrying on of the
lamp department ; also "to employ such number of
men in the repair shop of tl e department as maybe
necessary ; the cost thereof to be charged to the
appropriation) for Lamps.
Read twice and passed.
CITY REGISTRAR'S DEPARTMENT.
Alderman Stebbms offered the following:
Ordered, Tr- at the majority aim minority reports
of a committee of the last City Council relative to
the duties of the City Registrar, and which were
referrea to the present City Council, be taken
from the files of the City Clerk and referred to
the Joint Standing Committee on the City Regis-
trar's Department, together with the orders of
the City Council of 1875, instructing: said commit-
tee to investigate the maimer in which the City
Registrar has conducted the duties or his office.
Alderman Burrage— Is it the intention to have
the Committee oi> Citv Registrar's Departmentgo
into a new investigatu n? I understand that one
investigation has been made and repoited on.
Alderman S ebb. ns — Ihe CommittHe on Regis-
trar's Department be!d ooe meeting last y c ar, at
which they investigated at some lei gih the man-
ner in which the duties of the office had been
conducted; but they adjourned and left the City
Registrar wit., this matter haDging over him. He
is anxious to have the matter taken hold of and
disposed of. He desires a full and tnorough in-
vestigation.
Alderman Burrage— Why should the investiga-
tion be puisued?
Alderman StebDins — That I cannot say. I only
state the facts.
The oider was passed. Sent down.
PUBLIC URINALS.
Alderman Viles offered the following:
Ordered, That h>s Honor the Mayor be requested
to aoply to the Legislature for an' act authorizing
the city of Boston to eiect aud maintain public
urinals in the streets ot said city, the location
thereof to be first approved by the City Council.
Alderman Viles — I offer that ordei at the le-
quest of the Board of Health. They deem it
ne essary that public unn.-Js should be estab-
lished in the streets uoder the direction of the
City Council, and it is necessary to apolytothe
Legislature for authority to meet that want.
The order was read twice and passec. Sent
down.
Alderman Viles offered the following:
Ordeied, That his Honor the Mayor be request-
ed to rpply to the Legislature for an act to allow
the city of Boston to erect anc maintain public
urinals upon the Public Garden in said city.
4.1derman Stebtins— I doc", know but it is worth
while to take uo the Public Garden in that way.
I should lik« to kro v bo w manv it is intended to
establish thsre. It the Public Gai den is to be
converted to such general uses it might as well be
closed up at once.
Alderman Viles— There is one there now, but it
has no right to be rb"re, and application must be
made to the Legislature for authority to have it
remain. It has proved a verv great convenience.
Alderman Stebbins — Tneu it is a question
whether it is not best to remove it. I havr heard
more unfavorable comments than fnvorable
ones upon this urinal upon the Public Gar.ien.
Pe'sonallv I shall vote against the order, unless
some good reason is given for it.
Alderman Burrage— I don't see any haim in
getting the authotity. We might as well ask for
it as not.
The oider was read twice and passed. Sent
down.
PARK COMMISSION.
On motion ot Alderman Stebbins the report of
the Park Commissiou was taken from the table
and sent down.
BUILDINGS TO BE LEASED.
Alderman Buroham, from the Committee on
Bridges, offerpd the following:
Ordered, That his Honor the Mayor oe author-
ized to execute a lease of the buildiog situated on
the northerly end and westerly side of Warren
Bridge to A. T. Nickeison & Co., for the term of
five years, comtneacing Jan. 1, 1876, at the lvte of
$150 per a.nium.
Rpad twice and passed. Sent down.
Ordered, That his Honor the Mayor be author-
ized to execute a lease ot the building situated on
the easterly side of Charles River Bridge, south of
the draw, to Joseph Rooerts, for the term of rive
years, commencing Jan. 1, 1876, at the rate of $150
pet annum.
Re^d twice and passed. Sent down.
THE PROPOSED REDUCTION OF THE COMMISSIONS.
Aldeiman O'Brien moved to reconsider the vote
referring to the Committee on City Charter the
order for the Committee on Ordinances to consid-
er the subject of a reouction of the number of
Commissioner? on Health, Streets, etc., from three
to one.
Alderman O'Brien— The reason for moving the
reconsideration of tee vote is the fact that some of
the Aldermen did not exactly understand it. They
thought th« order directed the Committee on
Ordinances to reduce the number of these com-
missioners frem three to a single-oeaded commis-
sion; whereas it merely asked the commit-
tee to consider the expediency of doicg so.
We all know that the Committee on Ordi-
nances have very little to do, and I
feel that it would not interfere with the
progress ot the uew city charter if this subject
were jeferrod to that committee. It appears to
be the legitimate committee to refer it to, because
it could ascertain tacts that the special commit-
tee on the new city charter could not. They
could ascertain how manv hours a day these large-
salaried officers give to the city of Boston, and if
it is necessary to have three men to do the work
that one could do equally weU. I will sav a word
or two in reply to the statement that it is a dan-
gerous oolicy to intrust so much power to the
hands of one commissioner. It is refreshing, Mr.
Chairman, to hear gentlemen who advocated the
new citv charter last year talk about the danger
of mttustiog so much power to one com-
missioner; but this order does nothing of
ihe kino. At the commencement of every
year, standing conmittees of thi* Board or
of the City Council are appointed to super-
vise every deparcmant of the City Govern >>ent.
AU the appiopriariuns of money are made under
their supervision, and every dollar expended
must be approved by them. That, bowever, is
not toe end of it. After these committees have
approved t^e estimates, they go down to the
Auditor's office, and the watchful eyes of the
Auditor and his able assistants sc*n every item;
and, Mr. Cnaumaii, we have an Auditor who has
ttas courage to speak to the heads of departments
and chairmen of coramirtees and point out errors
in the accounts sent down, if there ai<> any. And
that is not the end of it. After all these items
have been approved by the committees on ihe dif-
feieut departments; af>er thty have been sent
down to and examined and approved by the Au-
ditor, then they go to still anoiher commit-
tee. The first thing that is done every year is
to elect a Committee on Accounts, and even
after the appropriations have been passed by
the Citv Council, not a dollar can be paid from
the treasury until it meets the approval ot trie
Committee on Accounts. I should like to know
where the aanger J s, with all these checks and
guaros, of intrusting the expenditure of large
sums of mon Q v to a single commissioner ? The
new members of this Board will ascertain, if they
have not alreadv — a* I dio— that the three hardest
working departments in the city of Boston— and I
say it fearlessly— the three best conducted depart-
ment, are the Paving, Health and Sewer depart-
ments. Here we have the single-headed commis-
sion. I don't care whether you call him a super-
intendent or by the more modern term, commis-
sioner. He is the head of that department, and
large sums of money are exoeuded under his su-
pervision. The Paving Department expends
more money than auy other department
in tne Cuy Government; the Health Depart-
ment expends some four or five hundred
thousand dollars, and the Sewer Department
something like three bmnd/ed thousand a year;
and I should like to have any gentleman stand up
nere and say that a dollar of that money has been
expended wrongfully during the past year. The
fact is, the Supei in teo dents of Streets, Health and
Sewers each actually do more work than any
three paid commissioners in City Hall, and I have
no doubt that fact can be ascertained, as well as
27
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
the fact that those departments are better con-
ducted than any of ttie departments under com-
missions. It is a vet v easy matter to talk about
retrenchment and -economy ; but, Mr. Chiirman,
let an Alderman rise here and offer an order look-
ing to a .saving ot $30,000, that treads on some-
body's toes, and see what a storm it ^ill raise. In
the first place a motion will be made to lay it
on the table, and if that is not carried,
they will try to ->end it to a committee where it
will never see daylight again, for that is the ob-
ject of sending it to the New Charter Committee.
If we send it to the Committee on Ordinances I
believe all the facts will be inquired into; and that
is the committee it ought to goto. I can't con-
ceive, Mr. Chairman, how this conservative old
city of Boston can picture such a blissful <-rat« of
existence, such a heaven upon earth, as w ill be real-
ized when they get three paid commissioners at
the head of every department of the City Govera-
ment. I don't oelieve that the new chaiter that
is to come before us during toe year will ever be
a thing ot the future. I have no faith whatever
in its existence. If this matter is lefetred to the
Ordinance Committee, they will consider the
commissions already in existence; while the New
Charter Committee is to consider a ihinir of
the future, something that does n't exist now. E
believe tbe proper coutse tor the order to take is
to go to the Committer on Oidi dances.
Ah'erinan Bui rage — This U not simply a ques-
tion respecting the matter of economy (true or
false) in the departments to which the order re-
fers. It involves the problem ot good government
and the efficient protection of the lives ana prop-
erty of the inhabitants of our city. Whatever
may have b*en the motives of the Alderman who
introduced the order, thera can be no doubt as to
its character and meaning. It m«ais toe aboli-
tion of ail commissions nov existirg in the City
Government and a veto of any that may be pro-
posed i.i the future. For the proposition .if carried
out, would either result in the establishment of
an autoctatic system by which a commission or
committee of one would abselutely control t ach
department without being subject to the
restraint, supervision or criticism of asso-
ciates, or end in the appointment of a
superintendent or head for each department to be
under the supervision and control of a committee
of the City Council, as was formerly the case. If
the first-nauied contingency is whit is sought by
the author of the order, it would seem that his
democratic proclivities have led bim to follow the
example of tbose French Republicans who illus-
trated their devotion to democratic ideas by
choosing Louis Napoleon emperor for lite. But
if, on the other hand, be desires to teturn to the
old system, he must oe willing to take the risks of
an ioefflciency which, within the last tour years,
caused two disastrous fires that came near de-
stroying the whole city, and the spread of a fright-
ful eoidemic by which a large number of lives
were lost. As to ecouomy, every one knows that
it is not always the lowest-priced articles that
are the cheapest; a pooily made fabric is
dear at any price. So an inefficient,
badly manageddepartment voulo be dear at any
cost, however small ; while, on the other, hand effi-
cient management would be cheap at almost auy
price, howevet great. This is especially true as
to the Fire Department. Want ot efficiency at
one fire may (as it has in the past) cost more by
the loss entailed by a conflagration than the
whole expense of the department for years. But
the Alderman is mistaken, I think, in supposing
that the amount of the salaries of the oommis-
sioneis, whom he proposes to retire, would be
saved. 1 think he would find an increased ex-
pense with less efficiency. And I think the figures
giving the expense of the Fire Department before
and since the establishment of the Board of
Fire Commissioners shov that such has been
the case. It is well known that after the
two great fires of 1872 and 1873, the equipment of
the Fire Department was very largely increased
by additional engines, engine houses, new compa-
nies, etc. ; but notwithstanding this and the large
increase of tenitory by annexation, the increase
in the expenses of the department has been but a
trifle more than the rate of increase in the valua-
tion of property of the city. In 1870 the cost of
the Fire Department, exclusive of the tire alarm,
was $383,963.31, and the valuation was $585,089,400;
the cost of the depaitmeot being 657-10,000 of one
percent, of the valuation. In 1874 the valuation
was $798,755,050, and the cost of the department
was $598,663.63, or 749-10,000 of one per cent, of the
valuation; the difference being but 92-10,000 of
one per cent. It seem* to me, Mr. Chairman, that
our zeal for economy should te tempered oy dis-
cretion.— that it should not be of the kind that
loses a dollar in an attempt to save a dime. 1 do
not think we are piepared to abolish the com-
missioners referred to in the order, and
trust we shad not change the reference.
Alderman O'Brien — The gentlema • refers to the
large fire and that frightful epidemic with which
the city vas afflicted some years ago. Ot course,
if this subject i- debated, I had 1.0 doubt these
things would come up to snow what a grand Fire
1>i . ?,riment we have, and ho « granily they have
performed their work, after we have erected
such fiic-proof buildings that it don't matter
what kind of a fire you have, tbey could n't burn
up. Wh> , of course thev can do their work well
after all the building laws that have been framed
at the St..te House to help tBtm. But, Mr. Chair-
man, the city of Baltimore i- about as large as
Boston, having 350,000 inhabitants. We haven't
heard of any large fiie* m that city. Yet tne
Mayor of Baltimore, in his last message, states the
cost of carrying on the tire department in tnatcity
at $145,000 — I oelieve tbose were the figures — and
he also asks for about $175,000 to cairy tbe depart-
ment nn during the coming year; and he rather
apologizes to tee citizens Oi z city as large as Bos-
ton ror asking tor so much money. I don't intend
to discuss this questioD n>w, on the mere refer-
ence to committee. But vou take the para-
graphs that are in circulation about our Fire De-
partment. It is only a day oi two ago that I read
:n oae of the papers that the Fire Department, by
economy, would turn into the city tieasuiy $125,-
000 this year— that tuey have saved $125,000 Now
if I was one of those commissioners. 1 should hate
to have a paragraph of that kind put into the pa-
pers, because is showj that they don't understand
their business. When they asfeeu tor an ap-
propriation early in tbe year it was their busi-
ness and duty to fix it at the lowest possible
figure; bin now it is actually ascertained
that ''hey got into their appiopriatioo $125,000
more than they ought to have had; and that shows
me thar those gentlemen, when they asked for
that money, did n't know wbat they weie asking
for. The people had to be unnecessarily taxed for
that extra sum of $125,000. 1 sav again, Mr.
Chairman, that 1 cannot get through mv head the
idea of this blissful state of things when we are to
have three paid commissioners ruling and work-
ing every department in the City Government. I
have no faith in it, and I don't believe it will ever be
established. I hope this order will go to the Com-
mittee on Oroiuances.
Alderxan Thompson— As I understand it, the
question involved is the change of reference of the
order from the Committee on New City Charter to
the Committee on Ordinances. As the order is
one of ioqniiy in the proper direction — that is of
economy- and as it is supposed the Committee on
Ordinances will have more time to consider the
subject immediately with >ut any interference
with their other duties, I think, undei tbe circum-
stances, that that would be the proper reference;
and I hope the reconsideration will prevail.
Alderman Bur rage — I am by no means against
an investigation ot (.he subject, but I should vote
against the order, because it means the abolition
of all commissions. The Committee on New City
Charter have this very tbmg under considera-
tion — whether to establisn more commissions or
not; audit" they deem it wise they will report in
favor of abolishing those we have. But it seems
to me that the same subject ought not to be re-
ferred to two separate committees. It is unneces-
sary and would be l'kely to cause trouble. The
two committees might make two adverse reports
at the same time. It is not usual to have two
committees consider ibe same subject.
Alderman O'Btien— I deny that the order is di-
rected at the abolition of all the commissions. It
was presented m good f afth on the score of econ-
omy. In my opinion it shows how we can save
$30,000 a year in salary expenses, and that is the
reason it was presented.
Alderman Burrage called for the yeas and nays,
and the motion to reconsider was lost — yeas 5,
nays 7.
Yeas — Aldeimen Hull, O'Brien, Sampson,
Thompson, Viles— 5.
Nays— Aldermen Bigeluw, Burnham, Burtage,
Clark, Pope, Stebbins, W hidden— 7.
Sent down.
On motion of Alderman Stebbins the Board ad-
journed.
COMMON COUNCIL
28
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
JANUARY 30, 1876.
Regular meeting at 7% o'clock P. M., J. Q. A.
Brackett, Piesideut, in the chair.
PAPERS FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Annuil reports of the superintendents of Broad-
way, Cambridge, Charles River, Chelsea, North
Harvard street, Warren and Western-avf>nue
bridges; annual reports of superintec dents of
Public Lai, ds add Sewers, the Park Commission-
ers, City Surveyor and Street Commissioners.
(P.inted'Citv Documents Nos. 13, 11, 12, 10, 9, 1876.)
Severally placed ou file.
Petitions were refei red in co currence.
Order requesting the Mayor to eipply to the
Legislature ror authority to erect urinals iu the
streets of the city, the location to be appioved by
the City Council. Read twice and passed in con-
currence,
Otdn tor the Mayor to petition the Legislature
for authority to erect urinals on the Public Gar-
den.
Mr. Guild ot Ward 9— I ratiiei question the ex-
pediency or passing this order for the erection of
structures on the Public Garden to be devoted to
such uses. 1 most heartily concur in the first or-
der as I think it a necessity as rega-as public
health; and I hope thai when any such structures
are erected it otn city mat they will uot bb an ag-
gravated offence to the sieht, but an orcainnnt,
like those U foreign eitie-. But I rather question
the propnetj ot erecting such structures upon the
Public Garden, and do not feel like giving my
vote for it. Already one very considerable struc-
ture has been eiected ou Boston Common. I
have n't looked into t lie questiou wb.etl.er it can
be legally pi icea there; but tb re it stanus. The
Public Garden is a very beautiful spot, and such
buildings should not be put there except under
the restrictions named in the first oider —
unless tbey meet the approval of the City Coun-
cil. If that amendment be ao opted I should not
object to the order. The erection of such struc-
tures on the Public Garden might mar its appear-
ance and put the public giouuds to uses not be-
fore ictei ded.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5— This question was brought
betoie the Committee on Health by the Beard of
Health. We already bay. one such institution
there, ai.d theie is a question whether we can
keep it there, there being something in tne act in
regard io the Back Kay lands that the city should
erect no buildings tb ore except the City Hall. The
question came u.. about a building for a show be-
ing put there; objection was made, ana it reached
the Attorney General, aud it appeared that the
Boara of Health have no right to keep it there.
Complaii'ts have been made and we have either
got to get the right to keep it there, or remove It.
The Board of Healtn will probably remove it and
locate it on the Common where we have a right to
put it. 1 don't know how far the powers
of the Board of Health extend ; I can't
fathom the powers that these gieat com-
missioners have. Tht question camp before
the committee, aud we report in tavor of
requesting the Mayoi to petition the Legislature
lor tnrs ritrht, and then tne City Council can do
what they choose. I shall nut object to the
amendment suggested.
Mr. Guild moved to amend the order by adding,
"suoject to the approval of tne City Couucil."
The amendment was aoopted, and the order was
read twice and passed as amended. Sent up for
concurrence in the anierjduaeDf.
Order that the majority and minority reports
relative to the duties of tbe City Registrar be
taken from toe files of the last year and rt- rerred
to the Committee on the City Registrar's Depart-
ment, together with the order for an investiga-
rion into the manner in which the duties of the
office have deen performed. Read twice and
passed in concurrence.
Orde.-s authorizing the Mayor to execute a lease
of the building on the easterly side of Charles
River Bridge, south of the draw, to Joseph Rob-
erts, tor rive years, ai tbe rate ot $150 per annum ;
also a lease or tbebuildiog on the northerly end
and westerly side of Warren Bridge, to A. T. Nick-
son & Co., fo? five years, at $150 per annum. Sev-
erally read twice and passed in concurrence.
Order authorizing the Superintendent of Health
duriasr this municipal year to contract, subject to
the supervision of i h-. Committee on Health, for
such hay, g.ain, horses, e xchauges and material
as his department miy from time to time lequ're.
Ordered io a second reacting.
Order authorizing the Committee ou Bathing to
make su h repairs on the city bathing houses and
employ such assistance as a ay b3 required; the
expense io be charged to toe appropriation for
Public Baths. Ordered to a second leadiug.
Order that all uusettled claims and other un-
finished business relating to Cnurch-strtet, Suf-
folk-street or Northampton-street district be re-
ferred ;o tne Committee on Claims, witn tne same
powers in relation thereto th*t aaid committee
now have in other matters. Read twice and
passed in concurrence.
Reference to the Committee on Claims of tbe
petition ot E. L. Frothing bain, for reuii-sion of
tax on estate No. 8 Garland street^ Concurred.
Reference to the Committee oo the City Chatter
of an oider for the Committee on Ordii ances to
consioer the expediency ot -o amending the ordi-
nances as to provide tha r , the number ot commis-
sioner.; in th_" following boards be reduced to one
in each, viz.: Boards of Fire Commissioners,
Health, Street Commis-iousrs and License Com-
missioners; and in case State legislation be re-
quired, said committee to tepoit the necessary
orders. Concurred.
Amendment to the order of 13th inst., that the
Committee on Salaries be instructed to inquire
what changes ought to be maoe to equalize the
salaries paid by the city, or reduce them in
amount, viz.: Strike out all after "instructed,"
ana insert "to report tbe annual salary orders
on or betore Feb. 7, together <vitn such recommen-
datiois concerning the salaiies established by the
several committees and boards of the City Gov-
ernment as said committee may think proper."
Concurred.
Report in part, of the committee on the subject,
recommending an order that his Honor the Mayor
and the Chairman ot the board of Aldermen be
authorized to engage suitable persons to deliver
orations on toe 17th ot March and 4th of July
next. Order read t^ice and passed in concur-
rence.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Order toac ihe bill of Rust Brothers & Bird,
amounting to $12.80, for materials furnished the
License Commission, be allowed for payment by
the Auditor of Accounts. Passed in concurrence.
Order to authorize the transfer of five hundred
dollars from the Reserved Fund to the appropria-
tion for the Contingent Fund ot Ihe Common
Coun«:il. Read twice ana passed — yeas 61, nays 0.
Sent up.
ELECTIONS.
The elections of members ot certain boards of
flu ectors, laid over from last meeting, were pro-
ceeded with, under unfinisued business, wifi the
results given below.
Trustees of City Hospital. Messrs. Kingsbury
of Ward 19, Day of Ward 3, ana Ticknor ot Ward
23 were the committee to collect and count votes.
Tbey reported-
Whole number or. votes 65
Necessary for a choice 33
Alderman Bugh O'Brien had 65
Councilman H. H. Sprague had 65
Councilman Otis H. Pierce had 64
And one ballot for Trustees of Public libra-
ry, not counted.
And those gentlemen were declared elected.
Directors for Public Institutions. Messrs. Trull
ot Ward 5, Spmceley of Ward 19 and Stone of
Ward 3 were the committee to collect and count
votes. They reported —
vVhole number of votes 68
Jecessary for a choice 35
Alderman Clinton Viles had 68
Councilman Albus R. Cushing 53
Councilman Eugene H. Sampson 39
Councilman William G. Train 37
Councilman William C. Burgess 3
And Messrs. Viles, dishing and Sampson were
declared elected ou the part of the Council. Cer-
tificate sent t'p.
Mr. Train of Ward 20— Mr. President, I ask the
privilege of a word. I baa the honor to be elect-
ed as Director for Public Institutions last year,
and I performed my duties to the best of my abili-
ty, and my conscience approves my action. You
have elected two gentlemen who are qualified to
29
COMMON COUNCIL,
serve you, and I trust they m\y be returned to
tbe Council another year ; and if they hav« done
their duty, that tbeir record and politics will enti-
tle them to the courtesy of a renominaiion and le-
electioc
Trustees of Mt. Hope Cemetery. Messrs. Wal-
brioge of Ward 15, faylor ot Ward 6, aod Morrill
of W ard 20, were the c"mnritt9e to collect and
count vot.'s. Tory reported-
Whole number of votes 67
Necessary to a choice 34
Alderman Abraham O. Bigelow had 67
Councilman John Sweetser 64
Councilman Richard Pope 67
Councilman John Kelley 1
And Messrs, Bigelow Sweetser and Pope were de
clared elected on the part of the Council. Certifi-
cate Sfcut up.
Members of Vochituate Water Board. Messis.
Gray of Ward 14, Howes of Ward 18, and Curtis
of Waro 23 were the committee to collect and
count votes. They reported—
Whole number of votes 66
Necessary for a choice 34
Alderman S. 3. Stebbins had 66
Councilman N, M. Morrison had 64
Councilman Charles E. Rice had 42
Councilman Augustus Parker had 25
Aod Messrs. Stebbins-, Morrison and Rice were de-
clared elected on tne part of the Council. Certifi-
cate sent up.
Directors of East Boston Ferries. Messrs. Pope
of Ward 15, Fitzpatrick of Ward 13, and Blodgett
of W T ard 8 were the coin irm te^ to collect and counc
vo es. lbey ^poitec —
Whole number of ballots 66
Necessary tor choice 34
Alderman George T. Sampson had 66
Councilman John F. Newton 30
Councilman Marcellus Day 53
Councilman Edward Pearl 4i
Councilman J.N. Devereux 2
And Messrs. Sampson, Peatl and Day were de-
clared elected on tho part of the Council. Certifi-
cate si-nt up.
Trustees of Public Library. Later in tue ses-
sion Mr. Train of Ward 20 submitted s. report in
part irom special committee on thesuoject recom-
mending the election of Alderman Jonn T. Clark
and Counciimen Curtis Guild and Benjamin Pope
as trustees of trie Public Library, Tub leport was
accepted, and on motion of Mr. Train tbe tule was
suspended and a ball~t ordered. Messrs. Ttaiu of
Ward 20, Cusbing of Ward 10, and Davis of Ward
16 were tbe committee to collect and court votes.
They reported —
Whole number of ballots cast 65
Necessary to a choice 33
Alderman John T. Clark 65
Councilman Curtis Guil i 35
Councilman Benjamin Pope 63
Councilman Edwiu Sibley 27
Councilman William Blanchard 2
Councilman Levi L. Willcutt 1
And Messrs. Clark, Guild aod Pope were declared
elected on tne part of theCouacil. Certificate
sent up.
THE Y0RKTOWN MEMORIAL.
The following was received, reid and sent uo;
Boston, Jan. 20, 1876.
To the Honorable the City Council: Gentlemen
— I have much pleasure in fansmitting betewith
a communication from bis Honor May r L. B.
Rose ot Fredericksburg, Va., setting forth the
action of tbe Coii/cnon Cuincil of that city in re-
sponse to an invitation from me that they would
cooperate with the city of Bostot< in aid of the
petition to Congress for the erection of a monu-
meDu at Yorktown, Va., commemorative of the
closing victory of the Revolution.
Samuel C. Cobb, Mayor.
Mayor's Office, (Old Town Hall,) ]
Princess Ann street,
Fredericksburg. Va., Jan. 18, 1876.
To his Honor the Mayor, Boston, Mass.: Dear
Sir— 1 have the ho tor to enclose herewith a copy
of resolutions adopted by the Common Council of
the city of Fredericksburg in response to your
communication of the 4th January, 1876. As you
will perceive, we unite most heartily with you in
the petition to Coneress to carry out the resolu-
tion adopted by Congress, Oct. 29. 1781, and I have
this moment for warded a copy ot these resolutions
to our Senator and Membet of House of Repre-
sentatives.
Most resuectfully,
Yourob't serv't,
L. B. Rose, Mayor.
Council Chamber, i
Fredericksblrg.Va., Jan. 17, 1876. |
At a meting oi the Common Council of tne city
of Ftedericksburg, beld Jan. 17, 1876,— the Mayor
having submitted to the Council a communication
from the Mavor of Boston, Mass., with the action
ot its City Council, and a petition co Congresi to
execute tne resolution of" the 29th of Ocooer,
1781, for the e recti >n of a m<iruie column at York-
town, Va.. commemorative ot the closing victory
of the Revolution—
Oo motion, it was unanimously
Resolved, Tnat we coidi?.llv concur in the ac-
tion taken by tbe City CoudciI at Boston and
unite in tbe petition piesented by them to Con-
gress toe the ertetion ot said monument. That we
grasp wifh pleasure the hano of reconciliation
thus extended, and will cordially cooperate in
thu* inaugurating our centennial yeai wi.h this
effort towards peace, goolwili aod union through-
out the country. That our Senator and Represent-
ative in the Congress of the United States be re-
quested to unite in thp effoit to secure the legisla-
tion necessary to effect this object. That tae
Mayor be requested to forwaro a copy of these
pioceedings to our members of Congress and to
the Mayor and City Council of Boston.
A copy from the minutes.
R. W. Adams, Clerk of Council.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
Mr. Guild of Ward 9—1 have the honor to pre-
sent the petitio. of tbe heirs of Warren Fisher in
relation to damage done to their prop-
erty in constructing the water wotks of the city
of Boston. I only make these remarks now that
they may go upon the record; for tuis is a
peculiar case. These heirs owned a very
fine road, which had always been kept in
excellent conditiou, and tbey magnanimously gave
permission to the authorities to lay a wa-
ter pipe through it without any expense
to the city whatever. tbe only stipu-
lation being that the road should be" kepc in
repair. Since the improvemeats were made on
Parker Hill, considerable damage has be~n done
to the property, and they now offer this petition
that further damage should not occur in future.
A very strong letter was given by the late presi-
dent of the Water Board acknowledging
the magnanimitv shown in giving without
charge the privilege accorded to the city.
1 move tbat the petition be referred to
the Water Committee for prompt and im-
mediate action.
The motion prevailed. Sent up.
By Mr. Spetceley of Ward 19 — Petition of John
McBarroo to b- repaid amount of taxes assessed
on estate on Orchard street. Referred to Joint
Committee on Claims. S c ntup.
REFERENCE OF TOPICS IN THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Mr. Flynn of Ward 13 submitted the fol'owing:
The Joint Special Committee of the City Coun-
cil, who were requested to report what disposi-
sitioQ should De madt of the several topics in the
Mayor's inaugurri address, having considered the
subject, would respectfully recommend tue pas-
sage of the following orders:
Orcered. That so much of the Mavor's add/ess
as rf'ites to the once ot labor and the salaries of
city officers be referred to rhe Committee on Sala-
ries. That so much of the Mayor's address as re-
lates to taxation be referred to the Committee on
Assessor's Department, and that tbey be re-
quested to consider ana report what measures
cau be taken to prevent evaSMu of taxation
by persons having an actual residence in
Boston, and a nominal residence in an-
other municipality. That so much of the
Mayor's address as relates to the new city charter,
be referred to the joint special committee oo thit
subject. That so much of the Mayor's address as
relates to the water supply and the formation of
a water boarci, be referred to the Committee on
Water. That so much of tbe Mayor's address as
relates to school and schoolhouses be referred to
tbe Committee oo Public Instruction. That so
much of the Mayor's address as relates to me li-
cense law be referred to the Committee on Legis-
lative Affairs.
Ordered, That so much of the Mayor's address
as relates to tbe Police Department be refejred to
tbe Committee oo Police on the part of tbe Board
of Aldermen.
The first oxd- r was read twice and passed.
Sent up.
JANUARY 20, 1876.
30
RECOUNT IN WARD SIX.
Mr. Devereux ot Ward 4 submitted the fol-
lowing:
The Committee on Elections to whom was re-
ferred the petition ot John Drynan asking for a
recount of the ballots cast for members of the
Common Council in Ward 6 at toe last municipal
election, would resDectfully report that they have
counted tbe onginal ballots with the followiug
result:
William Taylor had 547
Michael Barr 524
John W. Fraser : 506
J. W. Fraser 2
John Fraser 1
John Drynan 491
James Bonuer 469
Anthony C. Daley 460
A. C. Daley 8
Albert E. Proctor 72
Nathaniel Hamilton 41
Andrew A. O'Dowd 4
and M. Dalton, Michael Carr, Samuel Hosea, Jr., and
Bonner, had one each.
It appears from the foregoing that tbe sitting-
members of this Council from Ward 6 were duly
elected.
For the Committee.
Jao. N. Devereux,
Chairman.
Accepted.
PERMITS FOR WOODEN BUILDINGS.
Mr. Kingsbury of Ward 19, from the Joint Com-
mittee od Survey and Inspection of Buildings,
submitted reports and oraers authorizing the is-
sue of petmic to enlarge wooden builoing by Sam-
uel B. Cunningham, 506 East Broidway; for per-
mits to eiect wooden building- by George A.
James, in the rear of Foundry street. Ward 13;
and for permit to JobD A.Sawyer to enlarge
wooden building on Ashford street, Ward 22, sev-
erally according to applications on file. Orders
read twice and passed. Sent up.
NOMINATING COMMITTEES APPOINTED.
Orders were offered for the raising of joint
special committees to nominate candidates for
city officers, wblch were severally read t*ice and
passed, and the committees weie apooioted.
By Mr. Smardon of Ward 10— Suuerintrndent of
Public Lands; Committee— Messrs. Pope of Ward
15, J. Doberty of Ward 7, Hall of vV ard 8.
By Mr. Newton of Ward 21— Commissioner of
Cedar Grove Cem?rery: Committee — Messrs.
Clarke ot Waul 22, Smardon of Ward 10, Graham
of Ward 20.
By Mr. Curtis of Ward 23— Water Registrar:
Committee, Messrs. Gragg of Ward 22, Fraser of
Ward 6, Curtis of Ward 23.
By Mr. Kmtrsburyot Ward 19— Clerk of Commit-
tees: Lappen ot Ward 15, Tickoor of Ward 23,
Arams of Warn 5.
By Mr. Sweetser of Ward 17— City Engineer;
Committee— Messrs. Fitzpatuck of Ward 13,
Barr ot Ward 6, Spenceley ot Waid 19.
By Mr. Turtle of Ward 16-Overseers of tbe
Pool ; Committee— Messrs. Burgess of Ward 8,
Pierce of Ward 24, Turtle of Ward 16.
By Mr. Peaoody of Ward' 11— Commissioner of
the SinKiugFund; Committee— MessrsJEVabody of
Ward 11, Felt of Ward 18, Ptarl of Ward 1.
By Mr. S.arague of Ward 10—
Ordered, That the Joint Committee on
the City Registrar's Department be requested to
nominate a suitable cindidate for City Registrar.
Read t^ice and passed.
Severalh sent up.
SURVEYOR'S DEPARTMENT.
Mr. Spencel°y of Ward 19 offered the following:
Ordered, That the City Surveyor be autboiized,
with the approval of the Joint Standing Commit-
te» on the Surveyor's Department, to make such
purchases ol drawiog materials and incur such
other expenses as may be necessary for that de-
partmeot during the present municipal year.
Oroered to a second reading.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Mr. Morrison of Ward 11 submitted the follow-
ing:
Ordered, That tbe Superintendent of Public
Buildings, under the direction of the Joint Stand-
ing Committee on Public Buildings, be authorized
to supply tbe necessary furniture for and cause
to be made such repairs and cleaning as may be
needeo upon the City Hall; also such repairs on
the police stations and engine houses, together
with other public buildings, as are not made by
the respective departments usiog the same; the
expense therefor to be charged to the appropria-
tion for Public Buildings.
Ordered, That the Superintendent of Public
Buildings, under the direction of the Joint Stand-
ing Committee on Public Buildiogs, be authorized
to supply the necessary furniture for and cause
to be made such reoairs and cleaning as may be
needed iu the several high, grammar and primary
scboolhouses; tbe expense therefor to be charged
to the appropriation for Scboolhouses, Public
Buildings.
Severally ordered to a second reading.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
Mr. Train of Ward 20 submiited a tequest from
the Directors for Public Institutions tequesting a
transfer in appropriation for lunatic hospital of
$500 from item of "furniture" to that of "repairs
and alterations." Referred to Join' Committee
on Public Institutions. Sent up.
INVESTIGATION CALLED FOR.
Mr. Shaw of Ward 12 offered the following:
Ordered, Tba>. inquiry be made by the Commit-
tee on Health by what authority of any depart-
ment of the ^ity Government, the buildine-s num-
bered 129, 129y 2 ana 131 Eoaicott street, and 1 and
2 Institute avenue were taken possession of and
removed from the place on which tbev wre lo-
cated, on the 17th instant, and that the facts be
reported to this body at tbe earliest practicable
time.
Mr. Shaw— It is due to the Council that I should
give some reason tor offering the order. I was
waited upoo yesterday by a gentleman owning
some real estate in the northerly part ol the city,
who made the statement to me that by authority
of some department of the City Government —
probably that ot the Board of Health— certain
buildings belonging to him were removed without
his consent and against his wish; and he now de-
sires that tbe matter shall be mvestigate'i, so that
be may obtain his rights, he claiming that ha has
the right to maintain and manage his own proper-
ty unless s t shall be previously stated and proven
to be a nuisance. I therefore put thi- order in to
make an inquiry bv the Committee on Health, that
be may be satisfied.
Mr. J aques of Ward 11— I don't see the perti-
nency of the order. The Board ot Health have
certain duties to terform; and if, in the perform-
ance of those duties, any action has taken place
wi T h which any party teels aggrieved, it seems to
me that th» proper place for redress is in the
courts. I don't see that it is a proper thing to
come before this body at all. Every other step
tbe Board of Health have taken might as weU be
investigated as t h is ore, and I cannot see any
special reason for such an order.
Mr. Mornson of Ward 11— I think th»re is some
mistake about this. I don't know that the Com-
mittee on Health has anything to do with those
buildings. It se- ms :o me— and I think t am cor-
rect — that this is a case under tbe building law,
and the probability is that it was taken dowu by
the Inspector of Buildings because thn structure
wis unsafe. It seems to me that the Committee
on Health ate not exactly the committee to in-
quire into that matter.
Mr. Shaw— That is just the reason for the
inquiry, and why I put m the order. The
probabilities are that it was done unaer
tbe direction of the Board of Health, as
I stated previously; and I would like to
know where the Inspector of Buildings gets
such authority. The Committee on Health
are aware of the rea-on for this order; their at-
tention has been called to it. It is just and right
that a man should get his rights in the City Gov-
ernment without being compelled to go into court
a'.d employ a lawyer. If the citv oestres to do a
fair, honest, square and equitable thing, it is its
duty to do so without expense to tbe citizens. All
that this party asks for or requires is a simple in-
vestigation bv the Committee on Health, who are
entirely competent to doit. If I had n't named
the probability of the cause, I would not be justi-
fied in offering an order for an inquiry by that
committee. The owner of the building desires to
know the cause, and to have the matter investi-
gated by the Committee on Health. Cert inly
nothing can be fairer, it will cost nothing - , and
the Committee on Health ate ready to consider the
matter — sol am informed.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9— It seems to me that it
woulu hardly be wise for this City Government to
set committees to work investigating questions
raised by gentlemen who happen to be in the dark
about their rights. Unless something more defi-
31
COMMON COUNCIL
Dite can be stated than we have beard, there
docs u't seem to be a case made outioi ao inquiry.
If tbc gentleman has hao his legal rights in-
fringed, the courts are open to bim. If it is
claimeo that any chv officer has been doing his
duty in an irregular manner there may be cause
for investigating it. lint ihis gentleman don't
know; perhaps he has not made inquiry of the
department; and I don't think it worth while to
set committees to work upon matters that aught
be found out more easily. 1 move that the order
he upon the table.
.Mr. Shaw— I have no objection to layiog it unon
the table, and if the gentleman can suggest aoy
other remedy that will do equal justice, without
expense, I shall be happy to concur in it.
The order was laid oa the table.
On motion of Mr. Morrison of Ward 11, the
Couucil adjourned.
32
BOARD OF ALDERMEN,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen,
JANUARY 24, 1876.
Regu ; ar meeting at four o'ctock P. M., Alder-
man Clark, Chairman, presiding.
PETITIONS BEFEBBED.
To the Committee on Licensee. Jobt) L. Swift,
that a license to take birds and eggs be granted to
his so i, RoUert, for scientific purposes.
To the Committee on Bathing. James A. Kump
et at., itaat a bain house be estaolisb-d in Wash-
mgtoo Village.
To the Committee on Hewers. Frank Keenan
el "/., for abatemeol ol assessment foi a sewer on
Cherry si t el ■ Ward 21.
To the Committee on Common on the part of the
Board. E. M. Smith, f"r leave to cut down a ma-
ple tree near the coiner ot Eliot ana Poud stieets,
Ward 23.
To the Joint Committee on Public Lands.
George h. Davis anu Calvin Stevens, th.t certain
conditions runuig with thrir estates on East
Newton street oe ebang-d to restrictions.
To the Committee on Streets on the part of the
Board. John F. Keiiy, for abatement ot better-
ment lor eztens:»n of Eustis sireet.
To the Committee on Lamps. A. J. Church, for
a public 'amp on Davis court, corner of North
Grove street.
J. Thomas Steven-ou, et al., tor additiooal
lamps on ihe south side of Mt. Vernon street.
To the Committee on Finance. Thomas B. Har-
ri-, to be paid the amount of certain coupons
which were lost by oi sto en from bim.
To the Joint Committee on Claims. Michael
Cain, f'.r a. ateinent of asses-msnt oa his eutate on
the N rthaooptOD-stteet uistrict.
To the Joint Committee on Fire Department.
Heyt-r Biothers and other dealers in fiieworks. ioi
leavt to sell ti reworks for use in Juiy next.
To the Committee on Police. Smith & Porter,
foi leave to strcrcb a wire rope across Spnog lane,
by which to transmit power.
W. H. Jones, tor leave to maintain a druggist's
mortar at 2224 Washington street.
To the Committee, on Paving. Sylvester Rich-
ards, for leave to move a woooeo euilding front
Lexington streei, Waro 3, to Sowerville.
W.F.Gilbert, Supenaiendent of Repairs, for
le^.ve io open toe streets around the United States
Custom House tor examination of the "ooxing."
Re£e?red, with full power.
Arioeh Wentworth, for leave to locate a steam
boiler aider the sidewalk of No. i Hay ward place.
Irving O. Whiting et al., that certain obstiuc-
tions be removed from Huatiugion avenue.
P. 31. Crane et al., that Orleans street, Ward 2,
be macadamized and put in order.
METROPOLITAN RAILROAD.
A petition was received from the Metropolitan
Railroad, as follows:
1. For leave to construct a single track on
Franklin street, from Washington street to Oiver
stieet, thence tbiougb Oliver street aud Wash-
ington avenue to Atlantic avenue, thence
through Atlaotic avenue, acoss Federal street,
to Plummet street, and an additional track
on Summer sueet to Chauncy street, wuh
permission to use the ttack of tne South
Boston Railroad on Summer, Washington,
Milk and Hawley streets, with suitacle curves
ana connections; and for ,'eave to coaaect with a
curve tiack the tracks of the south Boston ana
Metropoht u railroads at the corner of Summer
and Washington streets.
2. Also for leave to construct a single track on
Beach street from Washington street to Harrison
avenue,to connect with the tracKof tbe South Bos-
ton Railroaj, ano for permission to use tbe nack
of that roaa from Harrison avenue to Kingston
stre' t, with suitable curves and com ections.
Referred to Committee on Paving.
SALE OF BAGGAGE.
A petition wis received from the Boston & Al-
bany Railroao Companv for leave to sell certain
unclaimed baggage. Referied io a special com-
mittee consisting of Aldermen Stebbins ana Bige-
low.
PAPKKS FBOH THK COMMON COUNCIL.
Petitions and request of Directors of Public In-
stitutions, foi transfer in their appropriation,
\ i re referred in concurrrtice.
Report of the Committee on tbe Mayor's Ad-
dress, with orders making appiopnate disposition
of the several topics therein. Orders lead twice
and passed, in concurrence.
Communication from the Mayor enclosing reso-
lutions of city of Fredericksburg, Va., on subject
of Yorktown Monument. Placed on file.
Report e.nd oroer to authorize tbe transfer ot
$500 from the Reserved Fund to Iheappiopnation
for Ibe Contingent Fund of the Common Council.
Read twice ana passed in concurrence — yeas 11,
ua\s 0.
ihe order requesting the Mayor to apply to tb.9
Legislature for authority to erect urinalt; in the
Public Garden came up amended so as top,ovide
that "the loea.ion shall b5 first approved by the
City Council." Concurred.
Report nominating Alaerman Sampson and
Councilmen Newton and Day, is Directors of East
Boston Ferries.
Alderman Stebbins— I notice that this is the
secoac report which was presented in the other
branch and sigo-d by the same Alderman, fhis
is ceitainly in violation ot the eleventh section of
tn° "Joint Rules and Orders," which requires
that a report shall be signed by a member ot the
branch to which it is made, i'call attention to it
t'ot rne reason that if we intend to have lules we
should live up to rbem.
Aloermao Burrage— As to the first report— upon
topics in the Mayors Addie-s— I wi 1 ! sav that it
was sent to rn*- by the Clerk of Committees loi my
signature; and 1 eid.n't krow but that it was
ptoper and competent for me to sign it. As to
the oth°r one Lnomiuatiug directois of East Bos-
ton Ferries] 1 didn't sign u, and I don't know
who affixed my name to it.
Alderman Sreboius— Ihat is a very sirgnlar
state of affairs. The signature is not in the hand-
writing of either of the clerks of committees, s,nd
the A'dermau whose name is appended to it. says
he did n't sign it. Certainly his name is handed
around rather loosely,
AAierman Buriage [after examining the lepott]
— I never sgned it.
Alderman Steboins— I think it is a matter that
needs some investigation , and the report should
be recommitted, loe rule has been in force more
than a year, and so far as I know has been lived
up to.
Alderman Burrage — If I had known it I should
not have done so, but the fir:t report having been
sent to ma for my signatute I supposed it was
proo-r for me to sign it.
On motion of Alderman Burrage, the report was
recommitted.
Report from Committee on Suivey, etc., of
Buildings, with oraers to sllow the following-
named panie3 to erect *»ooden buildings in this
city beyond the legal dimensions: Samuel B. Cun-
nirgham, 506 Broaowav ; John A. Sawyer, Asb-
ford street, Ward 22; George A. James, rear of
Foundeiy street.
Severally read twice and passed in concurrence.
Certificate of the election of Alderman Samp-
son and CouncJmen Day and Pearl as Directors
of East Boston Ferries. Laid on the table on mo-
tion of Aid uman Burrage.
ELECTIONS.
Trustees of Public Library. A repo't canie up
nominating Alderman Clark and Coucciloien Cur-
tis Guild and Beoj-uiiu Pope as Trustees of the
Puolic Libiaiy. Accepted io concurrence and an
election ordered. Comaiitree to collect and count
votes— Aldermen Burnbam and Whidden.
Whole number of votes 12
Necessary forachoice 7
Alderman John T. Clark had 11
Councilman Curtis Guild 12
Councilman Benjamin Pope J2
And thev were declared elected in concurrence.
Certificates of election of cuy officers came
up, and th° Board proceeded to elections, with
the results giv^o beiow:
Trustees of City Hospital. Committee to col-
lect and count votes — Aldermen Hull ana Thomp-
son:
Whole number of votes 12
Necessary to a choice 7
Alderman Hugh O'Brien 11
Gtouncilman Otis H. Pierce 12
Councilman H. H. Sprague 12
And Alderman O'Brien and Councilmen Pierce
JANUARY 24
1876
33
and Spiague were declared elected in concur-
rence.
Members of Cochituate Water Board. Com-
mittee to collect and count votes— Aldermen
Sampson and O'Brien.
Whole number of votes 12
Necessary for a choice 7
Alderman S. B. Stebbins 11
Councilman S. H. Morrison 10
Councilman Augustus Parker 10
Councilman Charles E. Rice 4
Al<i?rmao Stebbios aod Councilman Morrison
were declared elected in concurrence, ana Coun-
cilman Parker was oeclared elected 1 1 ooncur-
rence Certificate sent down.
Directors of Hublic Institutions. Committee to
collect and count votes — Alaermen Buriage,
Viles.
Whole number of votes 12
Necessary tor a choice 7
Aldermen Clinton Viles 11
Alderman Hugh O'Brien 1
Councilman E. H. Sajapson 12
Councilman A. R. Cushing 8
Councilman W. G. Train 4
And Alderman Viles and Councilmen Sampson
and Custaug wtre declared elected in concur-
rence.
Trustees of Mt. Hope Cemetery. Committee to
collect and count votes— Aloermeo Pope, Bigelow.
Whole mnnoer of votes 12
Necessary to a choice 7
Alderman A. O. Bigelow 11
Councilman John Sweetser 12
Councilma n Richard Pope 12
Alderman Bigelow and Councilmen Sweetser
anc Pope were declared elected io concurrence.
NOMINATING COMMITTEES.
Orders came up for the appointment of nom-
inating committees, which wore passed in concur-
rence, and the committees were joined as fol-
lows:
Aldermen O'Brien aad Hull, with Messrs. Pope
of Ward 15, Joseph Doberty and Hall, to nomi-
nate a Superintendent of Public Lands.
Aldermen Bigelow and Thompson, with Messrs.
Clark, Stuardeo aad Grah&m, to nominate Com-
missioners of Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Aldermen Stebbins and Sampson, with Messrs.
Gragg, Kraser and Curtis, to nomin 5 ,te a Water
Registrar.
Alderman Burr*,ge and Burnbam, with Messrs.
Happen, Iicknor aud Adams, to no oinare * Clerk
of Committees.
Aldeimtn Stebbins and Bumham, with Messrs.
Fitzpainck, Bair aud Spenceley, to nominate a
City Engineer.
Aideruieu Pope and Whiadeo, with Messis. Bur-
gess, Pierre of Ward 24, and Tuttle, to nominate
Overseers of Poor.
Aldermen Bigelow and Bu«'age, with Messrs.
Peabody, Felt a L d Pearl, to nominate a Commis-
sioner on the Sinking Fund.
Older for Joint Standing Committee on City
Registrar's Department to nominate a candidate
fox City Registrar. Read twice and pa sed in
concurrence.
JAIL EXPENSES.
A requisition was received from the Sheiiff of
Suffolk County for $1863.07, for expanses at the
jail for Jauuary.
Approved and ordered paid.
NEW CONGRESS-STREET BRIDGE.
A report was received from the custodian
of the new Congress-str Q et Bridge showing t bat
5922 vessols had passed through tbe draw during
the four months ending Dec. 31, 1875. Sent dowu.
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF
PUBLIC BUILDINGS,
being City Doc. No. 15. was received and sent
down.
The expenditures for repairs, alterations and
improvement* of public buildings iuclude all the
bui'dirjgs belonging to or hired by the city (ex-
cepting schoolhouses and county buildings), used
for the ac ommodation ot the City Government
and the various departments. Tbis class of build-
ings numbers 119. The amount expeoded on such
for the past year has been $121,000.88. Rooms for
the Park Commissioners have been hired in the
building belonging to the New Engiand Life In-
surance Company, situated on Milk sireet, tor the
term of one year at a rental of $900. There has
been expended on county Ouiliings $48,976.01.
Th- total cumber of buildings occupied for school
purposes is 159; the expenditures on these houses
for the past year have been $302,581.06. The ex-
traordinary expenses for this department are
those foi the erection of new, and alteiations
of old buildings, for which appiopriations are
marie oy order ot the Cny Council. Special acpro-
piopnaiions for nineteen new public buildings
nave beeu in charge of this department during
the pa-t year. The toial a nount in apmopnations
for these buildings, including the heating a- d
furnishing of a portion of the same, ii $687,800.
This includes the amount appropriated by the
City Counci' the ptst year, tog»the with the
amount carried over from the previous year. The
Winib'-op Grammar School, m the Chariestown
Disrrict, is in process ot erection, ano the same
may be said ot the Exeter street ami Roxbury
street houses. Toe following appropriations have
been made by order of the City Council for new
structures, work upon which will immediately
commeuce: Grammar schoolbou-'e, Washington
Village, South Boston, appropriation $120,000;
grammar schoolhouse, Florence District, West
Roxbury, appropiiation $50,000. Plans are be-
ing pieparea for alterations io the Marcel-
la-street Hospital, to adapt the same for
the use of minors committed nntlei the truant
and vagrant acts; amount appropriated, $10,000.
New engine house ot wood in the West Roxbury
District; amount appropiiated for land and build-
lrg, $6000. Lana bjs been purchased in the
Everett District, Dorchester, at a cost of $20,000,
upon which a grammar ^dioolbou.-e is to be
erected the coming season. Ao appropriation of
$15,000 has been made for the nurcha-e of land
for a primary schoolhoosr, Citv Point, South Bos-
ton. A description of tbe completed building- is
also given, with their cost. The estimaiec valua-
tion of tbe several county, public buildiugs aud
schoolhouses, including furniture, land, etc., is as
follows:
County $2,000,000
Public buildings 6,4,14,364
Schoolhouses 7,996,500
Total $16,230,864
THE STYLE OF PRINTING CITY DOCUMENTS.
Alderman Stebbins— I embrace this opportunity
to call attention to the manner in which these re-
ports (the city documents) are got up this y-ar.
The paper is of a din^y quality, aod not near so
good as last year. I don't know who is responsi-
ble for this state of things— it the Committee on
Printing, I hope they will look into the subject
and provide a better quality of paper, for certain-
ly the documents do not compare with last year's
work. The present typographical arrangement,
it seems to me, is no improvement upon that of
last year.
Alderman O'Brien— 1 would say that the Com-
mittee on Printing have hardly yet got into work-
ing order thi< year. The >ep jrts, 1 ses, are more
condensed than in previous years— for instance,
the title page ano the blank page on the other
side ot the title are omitted. I ure»ume that is to
sav*-; expense, as the cost is just as much as that of
closely printed matter. I presume the Supenn-
tendent has taKen that couise, by the advico of
the committeb of last year, to save that expense.
We shall iaquire into that matter, and if these
things are objectionable, of course we shall make
them all right.
WOODEN BUILDING.
Alderman Sampson submitted a report from tbe
Joint Committee on Survey and Inspection of
Buildings, lecommendicg leave to withdtaw on
petitiou of Edwaid Lilly, for leave to erect a
wooden buildiag on Short street, Ward 15. Ac-
cepted. Sent down.
PAVING REPORTS AND ORDERS.
Alderman Bigelow submitted the following
from the Committee on Paving:
Report in favor of granting Ipave to E. Hodge
& Co., to move two iron boilers from Liverpool
street to the Atlantic Works wharf. Accepted.
Oideied, That the Board establish the grade of
Curtis street, between Chelsea and Saratoga
streets, East Boston, as shown on a plan and pro-
file drawn by thy City Surveyoi, dated Oct. 23,
1874, and deposited in the office of said City Sur-
veyor.
Read twice ai>d passed.
Reports and schedules of cost of sidewalks and
edgestones io several paits of the city, with or-
ders for assessment and collection. Order read
twice and passed.
LICENSING OF MINORS.
Aldeiman Bigelow offered the following:
84:
HOARD OF A L F> 12 R M K \ ,
Ordered, Thai .tie Board of Aldermen be and
tiny ai( berebj authorized, in aecoro<tnce with
section 14, chapter BO, of Hie General Statutes, to
make lulee and i egulations to restrain sales by
minors; or to giant liceoses for minora to make
snob sales, on . nch terms and conditions 49 tney
sball prescribe .
Read twice and passed. Benl down.
LICENSES.
Alderman Bigelow submitted leports from tUe
Committee on Licensee, as follows:
Hack Licenses Grained— Richard Mantborp;
rornei Dartmouth and Marlborough streets;
Tho;aas F. Shimmin. corner West Cedar and Mt.
Vein on street' ; Pi tries ^. Afeehan, mj and 02 Dor-
chester avenue.
D<>alei8 in Second-hand Article ■> Licenced—
William ■) Rear, 142 Tyler stieet; George Wright,
318 ConimeiClol street; James J. Kelly, 11 l'farl
plac">; Robert F. Scotland, 12 Longwooa avenue;
flaskios & Montague, 288 Atlantic avenue.
Auctioneers Lieeot-ed — VV. F. (). Fay. 06 Devon-
sh ic street: Br ice S. Evans, 28 Stat. j street.
Shooting Gallery Licensed — Augustus L. Chase,
1348 Washington street.
Wagon Licenses Granted— Moses H. Libby, 8-10
Court square; William H. Gwynne, Dover street,
corner Shawiuut aveaue; Ambrose Maiean, 99
Watci street; Edward G. Taibox, express wagon;
Charles Gould, 1 Fulton stic et.
Arnusemeot License Granted— Charles H. Me-
serve, to give dramatic entertain neiit at Pulaski
Hall.
Billiard License Granted— J. George Cooper,
Providence Railioad Station.
Severally accepted.
PERMITS FOR STABLES AND CELLARS.
Alderman Viles submitted reports from the
Couitnittse on Health ou the part of the Board as
follows:
That leave be granted to occupy stables, on the
usual conditio ts, to Michael Fitzgibboos, 43 Mid-
die street; Canie J. Walley, corner of Locust and
Button wood streets; Henry B. Wetherell, 198 Bea-
con street; Denuis Kalahei, 791 Thud street; John
A. Sawyer, Ashfnrd street, Ward 22: South Bos-
ton Iron Company, 60 Dorcbester avenue; James
C. McKee, Orient House; Charles A. Dodge, on
newstrebtin Allston, Ward 22; Warren D. Vinal,
on new street in Allston, Ward 22.
Leave to withdraw on the following petitions
for leave to occupy stables : Charles E. Paige, 612
Fifth street; Landers & Marr, Xiotb street, cor-
ner E street, Waid 13; Phineas B. Smith, Centre
street, next to brewery ; Carney Hospital, lot 22
Old Harbor street; David Harney, Preble street,
corner Rogers sir et.
That lesive be giante 1 Chades W. Galloupe to
construct a cellar below grate, corner Wales and
BroaT streets, provided ir is satisfactory to the
Inspector of Buildings.
Severally accepted.
CLAIMS.
Aldeiman O'Buen submitted a leport from the
Joint Committee on Claims, recommending leave
to withdraw on peuition or M ry A. Scott, to be
compensated for personal injuries caused by an
alleged aefect in Cottage street. Accepted. Sent
down.
PUBLIC LANDS.
Aldeiman O'Brien offered the following:
Ordered, Thar the lot of land ou East Fourth
street, as sho*n upon a plan reco ded <*ith
plans of city lands sold, book 2, folio
142, in the office of the Superintendent,
of Public Lands, which lot of land ?>as bargained
to Michael Sc:nlan July 1, 1871, be a id the same is
hereby declared forfeited to the city of Boston for
non-fulfilment and Dreach of the conditions of sale ;
and that the Superintendent of Public Lands be
and is here ry directed to take possession of the
aforesaid lot of land in behalf of ana to the vue of
the said city of Boston.
Ordeieo, That rue Collector be and is hereby
authorized to cancel the bond numbered 2440,
which vas given to Michatl Scanlan July 1,1871,
for a lor of land on East Fourth street.
Severally read twice and passed. Sent down.
ASSESSMENT OF TAXES.
Alderman Whidden ottered toe following:
An Ordinance
to amend an ordinance concerning the assess
ment and collection of taxes:
Be it ordained by tba Aldermen and Common
Council of tbe city of Boston, in City Council
assembled, as follows:
Section 1. Tbe seventh section of the ordinance
eorcerring the assessment an I collection of taxes,
printed in • he edition ot la '.s and ordinances 'OX
the vear 1869. and amende d March 8, 1870, is here-
by further amenotd by striking out the words
"aid second."
Seci. 2. The tenth s<-ctioo of the said ordinance
is hereby amended to read as fallows: "Section 10.
it shall be the duty ot tbe First A--ist.am AaS4 98-
ors to assist the Assessors in estimating the value
ot the p-rson-i property, and id their respective
districts, with one of tne Ass-.s-aas or Stcono As-
sistant assessors, to appiaisc tne value of the
real estate, and to take a list of the pi Us therei",
and report the same to the Boaro of Assessors. It
shall be the duty o* the Second Assistao t Afi&e -
o.*s to visit, iu company with one of the A';s^ssors
or First Assistant Assessors, the different estates
in the districts to which they h ill be assigned, to
aid bim in the discharge of his duties."
Read once.
TEANSP<EH IN POLICE APPROPRIATION.
Alderman Burrage offered the folio »iuif:
Oru>ied, That the Auditor of Accounts be and he
is hereby authorized to transfer tbe sum of S24.45
from the item "salaries tor oatrolmer., etc." in
the aprropriation foi Police Department, f> t he
item, "medical attendance <.v sick and wou&ded
persons," in toe sauis appropriation.
Aloe> - man Stebbins called attention to the new
joint rule which aboli-hes the classification of
last year ai,d does not require special orders for
tiansters from one item in an appropriation to
another.
Alderman Barrage saul ton was one of the Jau-
uar> bills which came in before the new rule was
adopted, and the Auditor desired the passage of
t/SB order.
The order wa« read twice and passed — yeas 12,
nays 0. Sent down.
LAND DAMAGES.
Alderman Burrage offered the following, from
the Committee on Streets on the part of the Boaid:
Order to nay Jonn Cavanagb $136, for laid a> d
damages occasioned bv widening of Baxter street.
Read twice and parsed.
Ordereo, Tbat whenever the Committee on
Streets of this Board deem it for the best infiest
of the city to refer claims for oamngei or better-
menus relating to the laying out or widening of
streets to a< bitration for settlement, Ihe said com-
mittee is heiebv authorized to refer such claims,
with the approva' of his Honoi the -tlayor a 30
tbe city ot Bostor.
Read twice and passed.
PAYMENT OF EXECUTIONS.
Alderman Stebbins offered the following:
Oraeied, Th~it his Honor the Mayor be aufbor-
izea, with the approval of tne Committee on
Claims, to di aw upou the tieasurer for the pay-
ment of all executions or judgments ot court
agaiist the city vh^n properly certified as cor-
rect, by tbe Citv Solicitor.
Reaa twice ana passed. Sent down,
TRANSFER IN MT. HOPE CEMETERY APPROPRIA-
TION.
Alderman Burrage offered the following:
Ordeied, That the Auditor of Accounts be ana
he is hereby authorized ro transfer the sum of
$234.67 from tbe item for '-receiving tomb" in the
appiooriation for Mt. Hope Cemetciy to the item
for "grain for horses" in tbe same appiopiiatioo.
Read twice and passed — yeas 12, nays 0. Sent
down.
FRANKLIN FUND.
Alderman Barrage submitted the following:
The committee appointed to examine the ac-
counts ot S. F. McCleaiy, tieasurer of the Frauk-
lin Fund, have attended to that duty, aud report
that they find said accounts have been correctly
aept, tbe interest being ~ollected, and the secui-
tus, which were examined by the committer,
were found in propei condition^ ft appears from
this examination that ihe condition ot the fund
at this date is as follows:
Amount of fund, Feb. 1, 1875 $193,984.59
interest accrued 1 2,516.74
$206,501.33
The ahove amount is invested as follows:
Deposit in Massachusetts Hospital Life office. $204,660.43
'• " Suffolk Savings Bank 373.61
" " Provident Institution for Savings. 416.52
Five bonds (balance) 1,050.00
Cash 77
$206,501.33
Accepted-
JANUARY 94 • 1876
35
CELEBRATION OF SEVENTEENTH OF MARCH.
Alderman Burrage submitted the folio whig:
Tbe joint special committee who were appoint-
ed to consider and report la what way it will be
expedient co celebrate on the 17th of March next,
the centennial auniveisaiy of the Evacuacion of
Boston by the British At my, and on the Fourth of
July next, the centennial anniversary of the Dec-
laration of American Indeperdence, beg leave to
repot t tn part, that in addition to the oration al-
reaoy provided for, the 17th of March be observed
as follows :
By firing salutes at sunrise and sunset and by
ringing the ctiurch bells at sunrise, noon and sun-
set, and that tb» General Government be request
ed to cooperate by filing salutes from the navy
yard and the roits in the harbor. That the occu-
pants ot the stores and dwelliugs on Washington
street, tbe route by which General Washington
entered r,he city, be requested to decorate tceir
buildings. That the locaaon of th« fortifications
on Boston Neck, id which were situated the gates
opened by Oolonel Ebenezer Learned to adorn the
Amedcat) Army, be designated by suitable oeco-
r*itions, and that other places of historic interest
in the city be suitably cecoraied. That Bunker
Hill Monu'meot, Dorchester Heights, and tbe prin-
cipal public ouildings ot the city be illuminated.
That tha Stare authorities be requested to illumi-
nate the Capitol, and that tDe citizens be requbst-
ed to cooperate by a general illumination of their
dwellings on :be evening of the 17th. In order to
provide for the expe use of the moposed celebra-
tion, your committee would respectfully recom-
mend the passage ot the following order:
Ordered, That the joint special co.urmttep, who
were appointed to consider aud report in what
way the centennial anniversary of the evacuation
of Boston by the British Army should be cele-
brated, be authorized to make arrangements for
the proper celebration ot that occasion, at an ex-
pense not exceeding $5000; to be charged to the
appropriation for Incidentals.
Read twice and passed— yeas 12, nays 0. Sent
down.
THE REDUCTION^ OF CITY VALUATION OF PROP-
ERTY.
Alderman O'Brien offered tbe following:
Oidtred, That the Joint Standing Committee
on Assessors' Department be requested to con-
sider and repoit what action, if any, is necessary
in order to ascertain and adjust the valuation of
the taxable pi operty of tne'citv, so that the As-
sessors' valuation of real estate may represent,
more than it does at present, its tiue niatket
value.
Alderman O'Brien— An inquiry similar to that
called tor in thy older 1 have had in contempla-
tion tor some time. Tbere is scarcely a citizen of
Boston who owns a footot land, asmt.il tenement,
or a costly mansiou, but teels that his property is
assessed, in most cases, at a pries beyond its real
market value, ihat tbe basis of valuation for some
years past has been altogether too high, and that
a reform in this respect is now demanded by our
citizens generally, especially real estate owners.
The real estate of ths city may be assessea very
equally, and I do not offer this ord^r with any in-
tention of finding fault with the work of the As-
sessors' Department, but 1 believe that their
standard of valuation has been altogether tjo
nigh. No pradent business man, when taking ac-
count of stock at the close of the vear, wojld fix a
higher vrlue on that stock tuan its actual cash
market value, ana tbe city of Boston, when tax-
ing the piODerty of her citizens, shou'd make this
ibe basis of valuation. Holders of real estate
must share all the burdens of taxation. There is
no escape, ano ben that class of propeityis
taxed twenty-five par cent, more than it ought
to be, it bears more than its proportion
of the burdens. Personal property is taxed
only on its cash market value. The price of bonds,
stocks and other securities is Dot only easily
fixed, but a large percentage of personal
propeity escaoes taxation altogether, as many
wealthy holders aie mean enough to be taxed
elsewhere, although in fact residents of boston
and have accumulated their property here, to say
nolhing about what is exempt by law. The actual
cash pi ice of the land and the LCtual cash valua-
tion of thebuildiog should be the only basis for
the assessment of real estate from year to year.
A lower standard of value than now prevails
will, no doubt, increase the rate ot taxation per
$1000, but out citizens will be the gaioeis. Boston
ow pa>s upwaro-s of forty per cent, ot the State
tax. This tax for 1875 was $2,000,000, of which
Boston pays as its piopoition $802,120, based on
our present high valuation. It is very geueraily
believed that we pay more tuan a fair proportion
of the tax, for while oroperty is assessed high in
the city outside the city it is well knowD that
the assessment is on a much lower basis. This
alone would be the «aviug of a large sum of money
every yeat to our citizens. Our basis of valuation
of real estate should be a true, ana rot a fictitious
one — what such property will bring whe" offered
on the maiket. The sales that aie now taking
place ev°ry d?.y at less than tbe as-essed value is
convincing proof that such is not now the stan-
dard. This subject is an important one, and
should be inquired in ro. It necessary, let us give
our taxpayers a heating, before the Assessors for
the coming year ai u appointed. For these r< asoos
I offer this order anc hope that it will be ad> pted.
Alderman Stebbins— This i^ lather a novel sub-
ject, ami I am l ardly prepared to give it careful
consiaeration this evening. Mv first thought,
upon hearing the order real, w«s that it was — al-
though perhaps not iotendea to be so — in reality
a reflection upon the manner in which the Asse is-
ois had conauct;-d the affairs of tbeir office for the
past few years. 1 think if can safely be cousuutd
m that way. Now, sir, I think the Assessors are as
well aware as anv mem Per of tois Board of tbe
fact tbat real estate has depreciated in value; and
I think that, after the returns of the valaatioa
shall have been made tais vear it will be fou. d
that the valuation will be very much di-
minished by the Boara. Ben les, I have an im-
pression _ bat the Assessors are responsible to t. e
State authorities. They are sworn to cany out
the laws of the Commonwealth, and no otde of
this Board or of any committee of this Board can
affect their valuation of property. Thev are
sworn to the discharge of the duties of their offire,
and that they will assess tbe property of the city
at its fair market r>ash value. Ot course, in toe
assessments for the present year, they will be
governed, to a large degiee, oy the sales of real
estate which have iakeo place °ince tne last as-
sessment was raa;;e. We all appreciate the tact
that witnin the past few months there b*s been a
marked decline in real property; and I bave no
doubt that the Assessors, in making their
valuation, will make a note of that fact.
Then, asain, Mr. Chairman, I think there is
another side to this question. Suppose the
assessors go through ihe city auo make a
i eduction of twenty-five per cent. — as many claim
should be done — udou the value of reai estate,
what would be the effect? Now, I appreb>»nd
there is a large amount of property mortgaged to
such ?n extent that, if any very large re uction
were made by the Assessois, tbo-'e holding the
mortgages— especially the savings banks (loeAI-
tierrnan who offered tue order represents one
large institution of that kind)— would demand
payment from them ; ana I fear tbat manv peoole
holding equities in property would be obliged to
lose toem, which would result in a very great
hardship. Of course, loans are mane, to
a great extent, on the assessed value of
property. When an application is made to
a saviDgs institution for a loan, it is referred to an
investigating coin nittee, who inquiie how much
the property is assessed tor by the Assessors of
the citv, and m-.ke their calculations accordingly.
We ail know that, savings institutions have made
large loans— we are all awate of th= fact that some
of them have made too large loans, perhaps— And
have been governed, to a great extent, by *ne
value put, upon the oropertv by tbe Board of As-
sessors. Now. I submit tha 1 ". -f the Board of As-
sessors attempt to make a large decrease in the
valuation ot real estate, it will work a hardship
upon the poorer classes of people who-e
propeity is mortgaged. The result will be
that savings institurious will call upon ceo-
ple to make payment, and many persons
will find that thsir interest in tueir propeity is
wiped out. In fact, I call to mind one instance
which happened within a few days. A gentleman,
who owns largely in tbe equities of property,
called upon the Assessors and stated that then-
valuation was twenty-five per cent, too oigh. The
chairman of the Board said to him, "You own
largely in equities ; suppose we mark your proper-
ty down twenty-five per cent., what becomes of
your equity in tbat propeity?" The man thought
for a moment, and said (I omit the oath he used),
"That will never do," and turned and left the
office. That will be the result if 1 he Assessors
make a large declite in the valuation of property.
36
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
The decline must be gradual, jutt as t*« increase
has been, and their action mu>-t be such as will
not create distress among the people whom it will
affect. These an some thoughts which came to
me upon the spur of the moment, aftet hearing
the order read, and I hope the order will not be
pressed this afternoon.
Alderman O'Brien— I have no desire to piess
the order this afternoon. But it will be remem-
bered that tne Commiu.-e on Assessors' Depart-
ment will be called upon to nominate Assessors
for the coming year, and I think it is important
tbat meo capable of assessing the property ot the
city ot Boston siiouid be nominated by that com-
mittee. An inquiry ot tbe kind contemplated in
the order - ill open th: j whole subject. In relation
to the oistress th-<t it iuitiht oossibly cause, I
might state that 1 think if will be lo greater than
that already actually caused. Tne old sav-
ings banks ot the city are never guide-
ed — or have not been for some years
—by tbe assessment ot the city of Bostoo.
The couot'y savings banks, who sometiajes rake
mortgage- m tbe city, are more ot less guided by
it, act! they, in many instances, navs be^n de-
ceived, and bave advanced more mouey upon real
estate than they would or ought to have done had
they been aware of the true valuation of that
property. Tbere are two sides to tnis business. I
think we should adopt a high standard of capacity
for our assessors, and never depan from it. The
evilistbeie. Our assessois should be men of in-
telligence and judgment and know wbat the
value of protreity is. I have no disposition to
press the mattei this afternoon.
Alderman Burrage-1 thiuk, as tbe Alderman
says, there is a general feeling — it might he said
to be universal— tnat tbe valuation of real estate
tor several years past has been too high ; but, as
the Alderman from Ward 12 suggests, it cannot be
remedied by orders of the City (Jovernment. The
remedy lies in selecting judicious meo to value
real estate — men wno will not place it higher
than the ca?h value. Now, while I recognize the
point tLade in regrrd to the distress that mifrhc
he Drought upoo tbe commuoiiy.gtiM Idon't think
that chat would b« brought, about by the valuation
of tne assessors so mncb as by the fact that there
has been a depreciation 10 the value of
real estate. It might as well be recog-
nized: tbe truth might as well be con-
fessed. To assess property twenty-rive per cent,
biaher thau whit it will sell for," isn't going to
make it any more v^aiuable ; and certainly it is the
opinion of the community generally, that tbe rate
had better be increased, if necessary, and that
property should be assessed at its cash value— at
what it will brinsr in the market. It seems to me
that we are not prepared to decide this question
now, and as the committee caorot take any spe-
cial action upon the order, if it is referred to
tnetn, 1 move tbat it be laid upon the table.
The order was tabled.
INVITATION ACCEPTED.
An invitation was received for che Board to at-
tend the lecture of O'Connor Power, M. P., at
Music Hall, on Sunday evening next, iu aid of che
Carney Hospital, which, on motion of Alderman
Stebbins, was accepted.
On motion of Alderman Stebbins, the board ad-
journed.
37
COMMON COUNCIL,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
JANUARY 37, 1876.
Regular meeting at 7% o'clock P.M., J. Q. A.
Brackctr, President, in the chair.
PAPERS FKOM THE BOARD OF ALDEKMKX.
Annual report of the Superintencent of Public
Buildings. (Printed City Doc. No. 15.) Placed on
file.
Report of custodian of Cougress-Ltieet Bridge.
Placed on file.
Petitions were referred, in concurrence.
Order to .".utborize the Board of Alcdermen, in
accordance with section 14, chapter 50 of the Gen-
eral Statutes, to niai-'e rules and regulations to
restrain sale by miuors, «<nd grant licenses for
minors to make such sales on such conditions as
said Board shall prescribe. Read twice and passed
in concurrence.
Order to authorize the Mayor, with the ap-
proval of the Committee on Claims, tp draw
on the Treasurer for payuent of all executions
and judgmeats ot court against toe citv, when
certified is correct by the City Solicitor. Ordered
to a second meeting.
Reports of leave to withdraw on petitions, viz.:
1. Of Mary A. Scott, to be paid for injuries
caused by an alleged defect in Cottage street.
2. Of Edward Lallev, for leave to erect a wood-
en building on Shoit street, "Ward 15.
Severally accepted.
Order that the lot of land bargained to M. Scan-
Ian, July 1, 1871, on East Fourth street, as shown
on a plan recorded with city lands sold, book 2,
folio 142, m the office of Superintendent of Public
Lands, be and is hereby declaied forfeited to the
city for non-fulfilment of and breach of cocdi-
tions ; and thac said Superintendent be a'id is
hereby directed to take possession ot the same for
and to the use of the city : and order authorizing
the Collector to cancel "the oond No. 2440, given
for said lot.
Severally read twice and passed, in concurrence.
Report in par* of committee on the celebration
of the evacuatioo of Boston by the British Army
on 17th of March next, ar d on the celebration of
the 4th of July next, recommending that in addi-
tion to the oration provided for, said 17th be ob-
served by firing .alutes at sunrise and sunset, by
ringing church bells at sunrise, noon and sunset;
that toe General Government be requested to co-
operate by firing .-alutes lrom the navy y*ard and
forts in the harbor; that the occupants of stores
and dwellings on Waahinj ton street, the route by
which General Washington entered the city, be
requested to decorate their buildings; that the lo-
cation of the fortifications on Boston Neck, in
which were situated toe gates opened by Colonel
Ebenezer Learned to admit the American Araiy,
be designated by suitable decorations, and other
places of historic interest in the city be suitably
decorated; that Bunker Hill Monument, Dorches-
ter Heights, aud the principal public ouildings of
the citv be illuminated ; the State authorities be
requesteo to illuminate the Capitol, and the citi-
zens to cooperate bv a general illumination of their
dwellings on tde evening of the 17th of March:
and Ordered, Thac said committee be authorized
to make arrangements for the ptopei celebration
of the occasion at an expense not exceeding §5000,
to be chaiged to the appropriation for Incident-
als. Order passed to a second reading.
Certificate that the Board of Aldermen had
elected Augustus Parker a member of the Cocbit-
uate Water Board, in the place of Charles E. Riee.
The Council proceeded to bailor. Messrs. Ruf-
fmof Ward9,Davisof Wardl6.and Pearl of Ward
1 were appointed acouimittee to collect and count
votes. They leporteo—
Whole number of votes 63
Necessary* for a choice 32
Charles' E. Rice had 32
Augustus Parker 31
And Mr. Rice was declared elected in non-concur-
rence. Certificate sent up.
Recommitme • t of the report nominating Direc-
tors of the East Boston Ferric?. Concurred.
Order to transfer $24.45 from the item "salaries
for patrolmen, etc.," in the appropriation for the
Police Department, to the item "medical atten-
dance on sick and wounded persons." Ordered
to a second leading.
Order to tiansfer $234.67 ftom the item lor "re-
ceiving tomb" in the appropriation for Mt. Hope
Cemetery, to the item for "p;rain for DOrsee."
O^dered to a second reading.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Order authorizing the Superintendent of Health
during this municipal year to contract, subject to
the supervision of the Committee on Health, for
such bay, grain, horses, exchanges aod ma<erial
as bis depaitment tiny from time to lime r-quire;
aDd order authorizing the Committee on Bathing
to make such repairs on t-e city bathing houses,
and employ such assistance as inaj be required;
the expense to be charged to tue appropriation
for Public Baths. Severally passed in concur-
rence.
Orner authorizing City Survr.yor, with tbe ap-
proval of the committee on his department, to
maee such purchases ot supplies, instruments,
drawing materials, and incur such other expenses
as may be necessary for that department during
the present municipal year; order authorizing the
Superintendent of Public Puddings, uoder din c-
tion of the Committee on Public Building-, to
supply the necessary furniture fo", and cause to
be made such lepairs and cleaning as may be
needed upon the City Hall, and such repairs on
police station - -, engine houses and other aoblic
buildings as are not made by depaitmeuts using the
same, and ouler to authorize s rid Superintendent,
under duectioo or -aid committee, to supply uec-
essary furniture for, and cause to be made such
repairs and cleaning as may be needed in 'he sev-
eral high, gram cnar ano primary schoolhouses.
Severally read twice and passed. Sent up.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
By Mr. Smardoo of Ward 10— Petition of John
Carew for extension of time in which to build on
lot on East Fourth stre.-t, purchased of the city.
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Lands.
By Mr. Train ot Ward 20— Petition of Joseph
T. Ryan ana others for the improvement of Or-
chard Park. Referred to Joint Committee on
Common and Public Grounds.
Severally sent up.
PARKER-HILL RESERVOIR.
Mi. Peabody of Ward 11 submitted a report
from Committee on Finance, chat executions have
been issued by the Superior 'lourt for Uud taken
for Parker Hill Kesereoit, amounting to $86,928.91.
There remains of the appropriation for P»rker
Hill Reservoir the sum of $9,732.94, leaving $67,-
246.17, to be provided for, for which the committee
recommend the following:
Orderec, That the Auditor of Accounts be ind
he hereby is authorized to transfer from the Re-
served Fund to the appropriation for Parker UU1
Reservoir, tbe sum ot $67,246.17.
Mr. Peabody suggested that the executions
draw interest from ida time they are issued, and
it woulo be economical to pay them at ODCt. On
bis motioi the rule was rasp rde> and the order
read twice and passed— yeas 64, nays 0. >>• ot up.
REPORTS OF NOMINATING COMMITTEES.
Reports of joint special committees to nominate
canoidates for city officers were submitted as fol-
lows:
By Mr. Parker of Ward 21— For City Architect,
Gsoige A. Clough.
By Mr. Rice of Ward 22 — For City Messenger,
Alvah H. Peters.
Reports severallv accepted and sent up. Nom-
inations laid over.
By Mr. Morrison of Ward 11— Report on recom-
mitted report (on account of informality io sig-
nature) on candidates tor Directors of East Bos-
ton Ferries, recommending election ot Alderman
Sampson ana Conncilmen Newton and Day. Ac-
cepted. Seut up.
FISHER AVENUE.
Mr. Sweetser ot Ward 17 submitted a report
from the Joint Committee oa Water, on petition
of heirs of Warren Fishei, recommenjii.g tbe pas-
sage of the following :
Ordered, That the Cochiruate Water Board be
requested to faithfully execute all *be conouions
made in the agreement with Watren Fisuer in re-
lation to the laying of water pipes torougn Fisher
avi-nup, so called, to Parker Hill Reservoir.
Mr. Shaw thought ihe word '-faithfully" un-
called fur, as it seemed <-o imply that tho Water
Board bad not done its duty; he did not wish to
JANUARY 27, 1876
38
criticise the report, but merely called atfeution to
it. ,
The order was ordered to a second readirg.
MYSTIC VALLEY SEWER.
Mr. Sweetser submitted a report from the Joint
Committee on Water on the orders for the con-
struction of the sewtr iu the Myotic Valley, add to
provide the means therefor, which were referred
to said committee as a part of the unfinished busi-
ness of l?,st year. The committee recommend the
passage of the orders, which are as follows:
Ordered, That ihe Mystic Water Board be and
it is hereby authorized to construct at an esti-
mated expense of 8205,000, and in accordance with
plans and specifications prepared by the City
Engineer, u main sewer, with as many branches
as mav be oeerned necessary, is the Mystic Val-
ley, and ou the easterlv side of 'he ponds and
streams which discharge into Mystic Pond, com-
mencing in trie town ot WobutQ, running in a
soutbeasteiiy duection through the town of Win-
chester into tie town of Medford, and emptying
into the lower Mystic Pond at some convenient
point near the upper end thereof, and to pur-
chase any lands, real estate or watt r rights
necessary tor the proper performance of the
work herein mentioned ; and in case it shall be
found necesSaiy to take, otherwise than by pur-
chases, any lands, real estate or water ughts for
any ot toe purposes named in sect : on 2, chapter
202 of the acts of tne year 1875, said board is in-
structed to prepare the accessary descriptions and
orders for said taking and submit the same to
the City Council.
Oidereo,That the Treasurer be, and he is here-
by authorized to borrow, under the direction of
the Committee on Finance, the sum ot $205,000,
to be applied to the construction of a sewer in
the Mystic Valley, in accordance with the pro-
visions of chapter 202 of the acts of the year 1875,
said loan to be styled the "My =tic Sewer Loan,"
and the bonos the "Mystic Sewer Bonds of the
City of Boston."
Severally i-ruered to a second reading.
COST OF WATER FOR CITY DEPARTMENTS.
Mi.Sweetser of Ward 17submitted the following:
The Joint Standing Committee on Water, who
were requested to consider the expediency of re-
porting an ordinance amending sections 46 and 47
of the ordinance in relation to water so that the
various city departmeats now charged foi the use
of water may be relieved, wholly or in part, of
that charge, having considered the subject, would
respectfully submit the following report:
The committee have conferred on the subject
with the Water Registrar and received from him
infoimation showing in detail the present system
of charging each of the city departments for its
use ot water, and the amounts charged to each tor
the year 1875. The R gi-trar's communication is
appended to this leport.
It will be seen that the policy of assessing any city
departments for the use of watei was first author-
ized by the City Council in 1853, and in 1869 the
City Council authorized a charge to be made to
the Fire Department of $30per annum for eaca hy-
drant and reservoir located ; $18 for the use of the
water and $12 for the maintenance. From that
tim» forward it has been the policy of the Water
Department to charge each of the departments
under the City Government for the amount of
water used. The system is shown by the table for
the year 1875 in the communication of the Water
Registrar.
The act of the Legislature which authorized the
introduction of the Cocbituats water provided
that the wate- rates charged should be sufficient
to meet the yfcarlj interest on the cost resulting
from the carrying out ot the scheme and the year-
ly expen-e of maintaining the works. It should
be borne in mind that this cost was largely en-
hanced by the fact that pipes and reservoirs had
'to beprovided, specially on account of the Fire De-
partment, which were "of much larger size than
those required for domestic and manuf , during
purposes. The Parker Hill Reservoir was built
almost expressly for the purpose of providing an
ample supply of water for districts supplied by
the high service, in case of fire in those
localities. Since the gieat fire of 1872
more than half a million dollais has been expend-
ed in replacing the water pipes in the business
portion of the city with much larger ones in order
to provide for greater security in case of another
large conflagration, thp object aimed at being to
insure a perfectly abundant supply of water when,
in certain exigencies, the forces of the Fire De-
partment should be concentrated at a single
point. Thus, the present system ot charging the
Fire Departo-ent for the use of water and for the
maintenao -e of the hydriits ana re servoirs— and
at the present rates— would seem to be as equita-
ble a o ie as could be devised. It cau?es that De-
partment (as representing the interests of all
clas es in our commucitv) to bear the interest on
these large expenditures made by the city on ac-
count ot the peculiar needs ot the department
and the cost of maintaining the large water pipes
and ot ler appurtenances introduce*) for i's espe-
cial use, instead of assessing this expense upoa
the individual water-takers ouly.
This principle would seem to the committee to
also apply to the whole system of charging all the
city departmeats, for the water used by, or on ac-
count of each, going to show, with the other items
of expense, rhe exact cost incurred by the city in
maintaining each of its departments.
For these reasons the committee believe that
the system in vogue is the proper one, and would
respectfully report that no action is necessary un-
der the order. Respectfully suomined.
S. B. Stebbins.
John T. Clark.
A. O. Bigelow,
John Sweetser.
George a. Shaw.
Marcellus Day.
John W. Fraser.
Richard Beeching.
Committee ou Water.
Office of the Water Registrar, )
City Hall, Boston, Jan, 24, 1876. (
Solomon B. Stebbms, Esq., Chairman— In reply
to your tioteof the 18th icst., in relation to the con-
sideration, by the Joint Standing Committee on
Water, of the subject of releasing the several city
departments of the charge for water, and asking
information pertinent thereto; also, asking for
the sums paio for water by these departments re-
spectively, for the ye*r 1875, I have the hoDor to
reply, that the aggregate sum of money Ireceived
from all the city deparimeots for water furnished
during the year 1875 was $116,500.41. Herewith, I
band you the list, with amounts under each head,
respectively :
Od the 11th of January, 1853, the City Council
authorized the Water Board to assess water rates
on all public buildings, previous to woich time no
such charges bad been made.
In 1869, the Ci r v Council authorized th? addi-
tional charge- to the Fire Department, after Jan.
1, 1870, ot $30 for each hydrant and reservoir
located, $18 of which was for the use of water and
$12 tor maintenance. In my opinion the above
charges are moderate in view of the quantity of
water likely to be required, and the cost of estab-
lishing and maintaining tne hydrants, together
with the large sums expended, from time to time,
for the. enlargement of main pipes, and other ap-
purtenances for fire purposes (-sfor every other
seivice the six-inch mams would be ample),
amounting io the aggregate since 1871 to $500,000,
riome further figures will be pertinent, in view
of woat I shall add in favor of preserving the
present system, by which the Water Department
is enabled to show the water it rurnishes; in other
words hi favor of a system which at all times
fairly shows 'he cost in caDiial invested by the
city for furnishing water for all and every pur-
pose, and on *he other side, the net revenue upon
the capital invested.
The figutesare as follows:
The total receipts from the sale of water
in 1875, were $1,000,000.09
The total number of water takers 44,000
Of this number of takers 30,000 are dwell-
ing houses, which pay in the aggregate. . $490,000.00
14,000 are business places, including ho-
tels, which pay 394,000.00
The city departments as per annexed
schedule pay (say) , 116,000.00
$1,000,000.00
In the City Department item of $116,000.00 the
Water Department charge the Fire Department
for hydrants, leservoixs and maintenance (ex-
clusive of engine, hose and hook and ladder
bouses, which chuge amounts to $890.00), $90,-
312, another item, is $7559.25, which includes the
School, Street ind Health departments, and vari-
ous small services, all told, like the Fire Depart-
ment item, not expedient to measure, and the bal-
ance of $116,000.00 is $18,629.16, which is expedi-
ent, and is measured and paid for by meters.
:;<♦
COMMON COUNCIL,
I will now respectfully submit thai it is impor-
lanc tor it lie Water Department at all times to
know, as far as practicable, tne amount of water
required ; alio OB occasions of short supply U is
essential in be cognizant ot any wastage, and
charging for toe use of water Is help to tois end.
For u stai it, i here me two uems In tbe $18,62(1.10,
afftregateo above, which are large, and should ex-
hibit some degree oi unifuiiuity in taeir veeus for
water. One is the Citv hospital, that i-ays
$1983.35, agamst $770.96 paid by IDS Lunatic Hos-
pital. Tbe other item is the Suffolk County Court
House, which pays $1736.50, against $303.17 paid
by Citv Hall. Both cases are served by meters
and aggregated together show the consumption to
be six times I. rger than the Cit» Hall item, and
suggest a waste which tbe Water Departmeat
would be call-Q uoon to look into in cise of short
supply, or whenever full pay far water does i ot
recompense for such contingency Secondly,
the wisdom of showing the exact cost of every de-
partment or institution of ths city has been
recognized, ana exists all through (lie civic con-
ceras of Bostoa, and water is on? of these costs,
and whenever any portion of its co-'t is created
for the benefit of the whoie community, it should
be borne by taxation of the whole community,
and this oresents, peihaos, the strongest argu-
ment against coing a vav with f'Hue charges. It
is simply this: The $116,000 must be reimbursed
to the Water Department. It is cow p^-id by
ordiuaty equal t2xation upon tbe whole com-
munity, nit it the city depa'tments are Dot
assessed as now, this amount must be spread
over tn° 44,000 present waer takeis, and would
be oppres<-iv^ upon the large takers, which
are manufacturing or business interests. Thus
30,000 dwelling houses pay $490,000, while
14,000 business takers pay $394,000. Spred,<nag
the $116,000 over these bills, the proportion of
the former would be $64,298, and the latter
$51,702. This sum of $116,000 is not felt in the
general assessment of taxes, but if put upen the
Dusiness customers of the Waiei Depaitment it is
an addition of neaily ten per cent, to theii pies-
ent bill'. In a wur n, the existing just system of
charges by the Water Depanmeut, undei the au-
thority of tbe citj ormnances, is to cause toe
who'e community, on their general tax bills, to
pay $116,000 for service oone for the whole com-
mucirv, which otherwise would have to be paid by
watT takers alone; and furthermore, two-fifths
of mis amount would fall upon the business por-
tions of the commu ity.
Believing the above is fully responsive to your
request, and with .he desire to furnish you with
all possible info mation upon the subject matter,
1 am, with respect,
William F. Davis, Water R-eistrar.
Statement showing the amount of revenue de-
rived trom i he various citj departments for tbe
use of watei, f»r the yeai 1875:
North and South ferries, by metres $5,381.53
House of Correction, " 4,465.47
City Hospital, " 1,983.35
Suffolk County Court House, " 1,983.35
Deer Island institutions, " 1,736.50
Police stations. " 1,130.31
Lunatic Hospital, " 770.96
Suffolk County Jail, " 483.17
Committee on Bathing, " 36H.52
Cedar Grove Cemetery, " 331.00
City Hall, " 303.17
Board of Health (urinals), " 262.9H
Temporary Home. " 98.51
Charity Building, " 52.64
Engine houses, specific rate 890.00
Public schools, " 3,214.00
Drinking fountains " 920.00
Health Department 576.25
Sprinkling streets 500 00
Paving Department 271.50
Sewer Department 250.00
Steamer Flanders 200.00
Morrison. 200.00
" Little 160.00
Public urinals 120.00
Probate Building 75.00
Public Library 50.00
Branch library 43.50
Faneuil Hall 40.00
Smallpox Hospital 25.00
Public Garden 25.00
Lockup, Ward 16 14.00
Municipal Court 14.00
Office (City Scales) 11.00
House of fieception 10.00
Deer Park 10 00
Fire hydrants 52,524.00
" reservoirs 1,764.00
Maintenance 36,024.00
$116,500.41
Laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
BILLS TO BE ALLOWED.
Mr. Flynn of Ward 13 offered the following:
Ordered, That the folio* ing bills oe allowed for
payment bv the Auditor of Accounts:
George Curtis, $200.63, agaiust Paving Depart-
ment.
George Curtis, $26.07, against Water Woiks.
Geoige Curti-, $16.61, against City Hospital.
F. A. Wilkins, ags> t, $6.91, against Lamp De-
partment.
F. W. Line .dn, Jr.,& Co., $3.25, agains' Quaran-
tine Departm- nt.
Mr. Fiynn- -If theie is do objection I move that
the rule oe suspended and fie ord°r tafce it< sec-
ond ieadiog ibis evening.
Mi. Crocker of Ward 10— As this is an unusual
order, before th* 1 rul* is susoended I would like to
know the occasion of it aid the nature of the
charges.
Mr Flynn— It is not a.i unusual order. It is in-
tioduceo becaus those geDtlemen ar- connected
with the Government. Mr. Lincoln is a member
of the Board of Overseers of tbe Poor, and the
Paving Department contracted with him before
he was a n,ember of that Bo^ro ; Mr. Wilkins is
cou-eeied with the Assessors' Board. All such
bills are ooliged to come here before they can be
paid.
Mr. Crocker— It rather seems to me that as th a re
is 8, law against contracting with membeis of the
City Government— though I suppose there is noth-
ing wiong about this — as a geneial rule it would
be well to have such orders lie over, and if, ar any-
time, th'-re is anything wronr about these things,
time will oe allowed to look them up. I think it
had be ter lie over unaer tne rule.
Mr. Flynn withdrew the motion and the cider
went over.
EXPENSES OF COMMITTEES.
Mr. Deveieux of Ward 4 offered the foUowing:
Ordered, That the President of the Common
Council be ^uiboriz>-d to approve all bills incurred
by the various committees of this branch while in
the discharge of then duty, and when said ex-
penses are indorsed bv the chairman ami mem-
bets of saii committees; said expenses to be
charged to the appropriation for contingent fuod,
Com Don Council.
Mr. Devereux— I offer that order for and in be-
halt of tne Committee oo Elections, who, as is well
known to th Council, have been at work very ar-
duously for several days in the matter of Casey
vs. Shaw. They have worked here from 4 P. M.
until neaily 10, and I tbink I can say that every
member of the committer has approv.-d the ac-
tioD of the chairman in procuring them some-
thing to »-at at nearly, if not quite teu o'clock at
night. I don't offer this specially fo> - myself or
any membei ot my committee, but because any
other committee who mav be ■ erving the citv may
receive like treatment, and that th y may not, at
ten o'clock, have to go soma >biee or four miles to
th<ir bomes to git supper, a- d that tho President
may not be forbidden io approve the bills.
Mr. Gray of Ward 14 — I believe this is about uie
same order that the Council voted down once this
yeai, and I hope it will b- voted down again. 1 don't
believe theie is any ceed of passing any sucb
order this yeai. As ths gentleman says, if a com-
mittee sit- till late at mgh. aud must h«.ve some-
thing to eat, it se-ms to me some otu c r wav could
be provioed besides passing a general or ler.
Really, I d.m't want to appeal here as oppoing
anything that is necessary; but I don't b lieve
this ore'er is necessary. I believe that it would
look better this year, consideiing everything, for
every member O' this Council to pay for ins
suup^i himself out of his own pocket than to pass
an order of that Kind. I would rather pay for my
sunper three or four times than to vote f <>r such
an order. I move to lay it upon tbe tnble.
Mr. May ot Ward 24—1 hope that motiou will
prevail. I doo'c know whether I understood tne
chairmau of the Committee on Electiors; but I
certamlv WrS not aware that -nv such order was
to be offered hern; nor wa* I awa>e ihac any ac-
tion had been taken upon it in coaimittee. Had
my attention been called to it 1 should certamlv
have opoosed it. I hope tins committee will uot
be selected to have any s jecial privileges, and that
anything thev may do will oe made the ground
ot extending- a practice which it docs seem to me
not oo be proper to perpetuate.
Mi. Devereux — I am rather surprised to hear
the gentleman from Ward 24 say what he has
JANUARY 27, 1876
40
said, ia the face of the vote passed by the commit-
tee at or near mas or 914 o'clock. I thiuktlie gen-
tleman said ne desired some supper, and I called
lor a vote ot the committee upon that question,
and we unanimously voted to go to George
Young's to supper, i wont allow aov man to go
an inch beyond me, and I am perfectly wiilirg and
can draw my wallet and pay my bill for expenses
incurred while serving on a committee; but, sir,
as a matter of justice, I don't propose to serve the
city of Boston witnout being fed svheo I am hun-
gry. It the city of Boston does u't propose to pay
such bills, all Idesire is to understand it. Justice
is justice, at anv am) at all times, and I offer this
oner in tie sense of justice and ho or, and in ihe
spirit of (jenarosity, arK i therefot t I appeal to the
Council for their sense uooo this question.
Mr. H'jww of Ward 18—1 think if the gentleman
fiom Ward 14 will withdraw his motion to lay
upon the table, the order might be amended to.suit
all parties. I chink it vey likely that the Com-
mittee on Elections have bad arduous ^o k, and
deserved to have their supper paid for by the
city. But the gcutlernau offered an order which
comprises a good deal and tak-s iu all commit-
tees. If he WJifd amend the order to make it
apply only to the Committee oa Elections, I tbink
it would be acceptabe.
Mr. Jaques of Watd 11 — I would ask the ruling
of the President upon rule 20 of the joint rules
and orders, on page 53. It seems to me that by
that rule th° committee already have full po«*er.
All that is requited is that the uill?, when ap-
proved, fhall specify details — that is ihe persons
to who 11 tney ate furnished. It seams to me that
under that rule, upon a vote of acommi't^, or
any number ot them, they can incur such bills,
and that the Auditor is not authoiized to receive
and pass them for approval unless theyspeci'y
such details. I to understand that rule a no I ask
if that is not a fait con- truction of it
The President — Will the gentleman state the
question aeain? the Chair did not understand it.
Mr. Jaques— I refer to rule 20 or the joint
rules and orders. My question is, whether that
rule does not authorize committees to incur the
class of expenses which the gentleman's orcer al-
ludes to? If so, it would seem to be unnecessary to
pass any such oider. If the ord--r is mi ended to
do away with ihat rule, so that the bills cau be
passed without such details, I should certainly
vote against it.
The President — In answer to -the qusstioa of the
gentleman from Wa)d 11, ttie Chair would state,
without having had time to consider the matter
fully, that his present impression is that the rule
would be sufficient authority for the committee to
incur such bills.
Mr. Jaques— It seems to me that that cov-rs toe
whole ground that the gentleman from Ward 4
desires.
Mr. Howes— I understand thac the joinf rules
and orders apply tu joint co nmi trees composed of
both Alan-men and Oouuidlrhen.
The Presides!— thh lule says, "Standing or spe-
cial committees 01 the City Codicil, or of either
brand- there if."
Mr. May — It wa upon that understanding that
I voted and insisted upon a vote of the committee
that they should det-rmineto authorize the ohair-
man to order such refreshments as we thought
proper to have. As the chairman said, I unques-
tionably voted for it cheet fully; but I never
thought of appealing to the Council to make a
general rue to cover any sott of expense-. Un-
der that joint rule, circumscribed as it is with the
check that nothing can be ordered exceut by vooe
of the committee, I am perfectly willing to have
it understooo that neither myself aor my col-
leagues sboulri go home hungry. If it is necessa-
ry to have some refresh meats, we can have them;
but I should be opposed to the passage of an or-
der on behalf of any committee upon wnich I
servt, or any committee of this Council, to give
them any greater privileges than they have under
that iul.-.
Mr. iTlyun— If I unuersta d this order, it is that
bills of this wind, which are contracted by com-
mittees, shall be charged to the Contingent Fund
of the Common Council. Unless some such vote
is passed, ih- committee oannordo anything with
that fund. A similar vote was passed by the
Board of Aldermen, Jan. 10, asfol'.OvS:
"Ordered, That the Chairman of the Board of
Aldermen be authorized to approve bills for ex-
pense 6 inclined by the Board of Aldermen and
standing committees of this Board not moving
charge of any appropriation; also o.\ individual
members of the Board while engaged in the dis-
charge of official dnty; the amount of said bills
to be chaiged to the appropriation foi Contingent
Exoense of the Board of Aidermeo."
that is what we wane to get at h ?re, so that if a
committee, 10 the dischaige of their duty, have
contracted a hill, it may be cbar&ed to that aupro-
priation of $500 which nas been set apart for this
purpose. It is the only way to pet at, it.
Mr. Gray— I oppose this orc'ei on more general
grouDds than some members ot the Council. I
am opposed tj the spenaiig of any money by
members of the Common Council. I do 't thins
tnete is any need ot it. I uu.eistand that last
year gentlemen rode to and fiom the Common
Council in carriages paid for by tne city. I don't
think there is any need of such a thing, audi
don't propose to have it this year if I can help it.
I don't know where he got the authority from, but
when I was in the Council befote, (hi President
had authority to aoprove suco bills. I am satis-
fied that any member of the Board of Aldermen
will approve >,l I bills that the Council ask foi, if
they are li^ht. I doo't believe any member of
this Council should contract any oills,
Mr. Croaker of Ward 9—1 am hot sure but there
is an objection to the order on the score that it
puts upon ihe President of this Council the bur-
den ot determining whether these bills ought to
be paid or not. Cousideiiag the peculiar lelations
of the Present to us, it would be lather aoun-
lleasant duty to put upon him, and it would be an
ungracious act tor him to decline to approve any
bill, even if he thinks it, 1 oubtful. it -eems tome
we ought not to put thac responsibility upon birn.
It seeair 10 me ihat this bill of the Committee on
Elections is one that ought to be paid,. I don't
believe 10 seni.iog them bone hungry. I am pre-
paied to vote that any reasonable bill shall be
paid, but it should be acted upon by the Council.
It seems to me thru ibe proper way is for the
Council to take the responsibility of those bills
and not to shus it off up ui tne Presiaent. When
a cotnmitte- have a bill, let them offer an order,
anri I shall be ready to vote tor it.
The ten lnimites allowed for discussing the
motion to lav upon the table having expired, on
mo. ion of Mr. Paiker ot Wara 21 the rule was
su>penced.
Mr. Devereux— I offered that order with the
best motive i th a world. I did n't off a r it because
I desired to get a dollar out of the City Govern-
ment; but becaise I have a committee, who, m
discharging the duty put upon them, were hungry
atter serving the city tbret or four hours-, and by
their uoanimous expression of sentiment showed
that thev wanted supper. I. as chairman of that
committee, after they unanimously voted to get
their supper, provided for them. I offer the or-
der with the best; motive in the woild, as I said
before, anc because I thought it eminently proper
that there sh mid be some means province! where-
by th^ various corn nittees, 111 the discharge of
their duty, should have their necessary expenses
paid, f do not ask the Cooiuiou Council, as an
individual member, t> pay for my supper. All I
ask is to have justice done to me and to the com-
mittee who have peiformed their duty. I hope
the oider will -tand upon its ruerits.
Mr. Tr»in of Wara 20 — I cannot see any oojec-
tion to the passage of the ordm\ It seems to be
offeieo in good faith, and complies with the rules
ami orders adopted in this b anch, which are ..hat
commict"es incurring any bill for refreshment,
the bill sh&ll have the nam°s of th? chairman ana
members of the committee attached to ir, No one
de-ires any concealment. There is no chance for
any junketing — I don't know che nuamntf ot that
word ; I have n't had a chance to see any of it for
the last three years; — but one thing I iiinst upon,
that if I am hungry when iu the discharge of duty
I am entitled to a dinner; and if I am detained
here till v ry late at night, ot ,havr ro wade
through sno* to mv home, I propose to have a
carriage to "ide iu, and ii the city of Boston can-
not pay for it, I can. I don't think it necessaiy to
bring up any such argument. I think 'our
coustituects are willing to pay a reasona-
ble amount for the expenses of meoubers,
after spending three or four hours upon
acommitt-e. It the g ntleman tiom South Bos-
ton [Mr. Gray] has conveniences for getting bis
dinner which other gentlemen nave rot, 00 one
wants to force him to dine, or to ride home m a
caniaft; but that is no leason for his objecting
to other gentlemen, not so conveniently situated,
getting a dinner at a reasonable expense. The
joint rule lays eveiythmg open to the City Conn-
41
COMMON COUNCIL,
cil and th- public, and I can't see any objection
to the passage of the order. That ve muse have
some refreshments and carriage hire is an abso-
lute necessity ; the woTk of i he city cannot be
done without it. it a gentleman baa to fro
tbree or (our miles on city business, be should
have a carriage, for it will pave time and cx-
Ben»e to the city. I have been a member of this
OUDCii tbiec years, aod p;rhaos I may have rid-
den more than I should ; yet I never did so ex-
cept 1 tcought 1 was entitled to it by courtesy
and right. 1 don't believe a man here intends to
spend one collar unueeessarilv, or do anything
that he i.- n't willing the daylight should shine
npou. Theiefore 1 can't sec any barm in passing
au order that >s customary, and which toe Chair-
man has offered in good faith.
Mr. J agues— I don't think there is any necessity
for any discussion upon this bill. The only ques-
tion is as to the means proposed to adopt to effect
the ooject oesireo. It wehavea carefully-n.atured
rule coveiing the wb>le ground, I think it would
be unwise, ano establishing a dangerous prece-
dent, to pass a general order covering all these
special cases. If 1 may be allowtd to read that
julf , I think it » ill give the p toper infoimation.
It is to this effect:
"No bills for refreshments or carr'age-hirc fur-
nished to any member of the City Government
shah be paid, unless such bills shall specify in do-
tail the vamesof the membeis to whom such re-
freshments or carnages were furnished, the dates
of furnishing ibe sine, and have been approved
by the presiding officer of a board, or chairman of
a standing or special committee of the City Coun-
cil, or it either branch thereef. duly authorized
by vote ot such committee or boaid, at a regular
nieetiog; such tills, tvhea so approved, shall be
paid fiom the appropriation to which they are in-
cident; and the Auditor of Accounts shall not re-
ceive or pass any such bill for the approval of the
Committee on Account*, unless it has been ap-
proved, as piovided in this and the preceding sec-
tion."
Now, I understand the President to rule that, in
his opioion, this rule covers the bill in question.
If so, I maintain that we should not pass a special
order in addition.
Mr. Howes—I think the gentleman from Ward
11 misunderstands the nature of rule 20 of the
joint rules and oroers. Tbe erentleman from Ward
13 [Mr. Flynnj very plainly pointed out that this
bill woulc have to be paid from one special appro-
priation for Contingent Fund for the Common
Council, and that no committee can draw from
that fund without authority from tbe Common
Council. The discussion ot tbe general merits
of committees' taking dinner, I think, is
wholly out of place now. The main point
to *oe decided now is « hether the Corucpittee on
Elections are entitled to supper, and I certainly
think cbty aie, having been here one evening and
knowing bow they were occupied in tbe hearing-.
By deciding them in this way, the merits of each
case can be taken up a c the emergency arises, and
I think that will satisfy the gentleman from Ward
14 or anybody else. Gentleman must expect
that the City Government cannot be carrien on
without a certain amount of expense, and if we
curtail it in this way it will be all that can be ex-
pected.
The motion to lay on th<> table was lost, and the
question was on giving the order a second read-
ing.
Mr. Peabocly— The vording of the order seems
to be equivocal ; and, in fact, I hardly understand
whether it means that the bills so presented must
be approved by every member of the committee
or not. It says, "Such bills to be indorsed" by
the members and chairman of the committee. I
harlly know how to reach that. We generally
speak of bills being "approved" by tbe chairman,
and I hardly know whether it means approved or
not.
Mr. Devereux— I accept "approval" instead of
"indorsed," so that tbe expenses shall be ap-
proved by the chairman and every member of the
committee.
Mr. Peabody — If that is the intention, it seems
to me, on the whole, that it is quite a satisfactory
order. If gentlemen, who are williag to come
bere and work for the city, are kept from their
homes at the usual dining hour, it is perfectly
proper that they should have their meals paid for
by the city; and I believe no citizen of Boston
would object to any fair construction of that
principle. Certainly nothing could be more lea-
sonable. But as one gentleman says, an order,
worded as the one was last year, puts tb? Presi-
dent of the Council in a yer'y disagreeable posi-
tion. This dining, etc., at tbe city's expense, we
ail know, nas been greatly abused; and
T7ben a bill which cr-atly abuses this priv-
ilege is brought to the l*iesident, it may become
an actual personal quarrel whether he shall ap-
prove it or not. It constantly put'; hi n m tbe dis-
agreeable position of saving whether he >/ill or
will not approve a bill ; but if .t is guarded so that
the President shall not approve a bill unles- ap-
proved by the chairman and every member of the
commiuee, then it is a safe guide to start with
against any such abuses. It that is tbe intention
of the order, it seems to me to be a veiy r-ason-
able precaut : on.
Mr. Train — Does U iotend tnat the whole com-
mittee snail approve the bill, or only those par-
taking of the refreshment.
The President— Did the gentleman offer an
amendment?
Mr. Peabodv — I offered no amendment, because
I understood th.it tbe order contemplates the ap-
pioval of all such bdls by tbe commitee. Ilia* is
the explanation given by the gentleman of this
order.
Mr. May— I still see objections to this order, and
donottnink we should have anything but this
20th rule of the joint rules and orders, to pro-
tect us. I ceraiily am perfectly willing that
every gentleman who serves the city should have
something to eai ; and I should reel that it w r as
my right, if I wrie kept here till after the cars
stopped, or it was a stormy niant, to cal 1 tor a
carnage and ride home at the expen.-,e of the
city. I don't wish to be unreasonable about
these things; but such a pnvil-ge is very
likely to be abused. Under this 20th rule
we have a provision that the expense shall
be voted by tbe committee previous to the
contraction of the bill, and it was foi that reason
that 1 distinctly asked the committee upon *vhich
I was accing ihac they should vote to incur this
expense. Now, when that vote is parsed, it be-
comes a matter of recoro, and cbete is no further
trouble about it. The chairman approves the bill,
and tbe fact that he approves it is prima facie
evidence that it wae voted by the committee ; and
if we cannot get into the city treasury to pay for
it, I will take my portion ot tbe bill and pay it.
But under this order, it seems to me there might be
great trouble. For instance, a quorum ot a commit-
tee may sit four or five hours, but one member may
be absent. This quorum is perfectly competent to
vote that it will have something to eat, and they
can approve the bill; but under this order they
must have the approval of the member who is
away. I con' t want to be asked to approve a bill
contracted when I am away and- don't know any-
thing about it : nor do I want to have to go to one
of mv colleagues, who was absent, and ask bim to
approve it. I want the committee who contracted
the bill to spprove it. It seems to me that under
this rule we can have all we ought to have or rea-
sonably desire.
Mr. Devereux— I know the Council w'U bear me
witness that I have never intruded upon them
very much, Decause, us I have said, men cheapen
themselves by too mucn talk. This is a matter
which appeals to the interest of tnis body. I offer
the order because one of the reformers of ths day
seems so desiraus ot a seat upon the tail of a salt
fish or a box of he; ring. I wonder that the gen-
tleman acceoted bis wailet. 1 got mine; but I
should think ha would consider that junketing
and lefuse to receive one dollar from the city of
Boston, under such citcumstances. I offered the
ordei in good faith, believing that every member
of this Council would identity himself with
what I conceive to be justice, and vote to
pass the order. For myself I care but little
whether tbe Council indorses it or not by vote. I
only ask it in justice to myself as chairman of a
committee coming bere and laboring tor the city.
I believe in tbe old maxim that the laborer is
worthy of bis hire, and I don't ask gentlemen to
take a red herring. I accept the amendment
of Mr. May, that a majority may approve the bill,
and if a member is absent I don't want the others
to suffer by his neglect, and I want the President
to have authority to approve the bills.
Mr. Gray— I don't wish to be understood as op-
posing a committee having a dinner if they choose;
but I do oppose tbe practice of certain members
of this Council ruaniog up bills and of the Presi-
dent approving them without knowing who they
are for. I don't wish tohaveit goupon the record
that the mem bers of the Council run up certain bills
JANUARY 27, 1876.
43
and 1 have to stand my part of it when I have
nothing ro do with it. Now, if the gentleman is
hone.«t and means what he says, I move that the
order be referred to a special committee to so
amend the joint rules that bills can be ap-
proved, and paid from the Contingent Fund. It
seems to me that a joint rule, cv some other,
could be provided to govern this pecial case. I
move that it be referred to the Committee on
Joint Rules and Orders.
Mr. Jaques— I would suggest that if the Chair
gives a different ruling from the first one, the
case might be covered by an amendment to this
effect: "Provided that such bills shall be io the
form required bv rule 20 of the joint rules and or-
ders. " That covers the whole question.
Mr. Pierce of Ward 24— As I understand rule 20,
it covers the bill of all committees having charge
of appropriations; and that all other bills must
be paid out of the contingent fu'jd. Now, sir, I
imagine that very many bills of this class will not
be presented this year — for refreshment and
carriage hite — and if thete are any, it
seems to me to be very proper that
they should come before, and be approved by vote
of, the Common Council. Therefore I see no ne-
cessity for a new rule or order, oreven the passage
of the one presented by the gentleman this even-
ing. I hope there will b>» no sppcial committee to
provide a new rule, but that this order will be de-
feated, and that any bill which must be paid from
the Contingent Fund may be approved by vote of
the Council.
Mr. Crocker— It seems to me it might be well for
the Committee on Rules and O-dFrS to consider
this matter and report what is the force of the
present rule, and whether they would propose any
alteration, It seems to me, however, that it
ought not to be referred to a jomtcoinn ntee. We
don't want to bring the Aldermen into this ques-
tion, but let It be considered bv that por don of
the committee on the part of the Council.
Mr. Gray— This rule is a joint rule, and will
have to go before a joint committee, as I under-
stand it, to alter it
Mr. Crockpr -I suppose that the committee on
the part of the Council may report what it is ad-
visable to do— probably we don't want to lav down
a general rule, but a special rule of the Couacil;
or they may recommend the alteration of the
general rule.
Mr. Peabody— The wording of the Older, as it
now stands, still seems to be .equivocal, and it
seems to me that it could be changed for the bet-
ter; and I very much like the suggestion of the
gentleman from Ward 14, that it should be refer-
red to the Joint Special Committee on Rules and
Orders. Ttey have given this whole subject a
great deal of attention, and the fact that it is a
joint committee does n't seem to me to beany
objection to referring it to them. They are emi-
nently qualified to put thb thing in the right form,
because they have given the subject a great deal
of consideration.
The motion to refer to the Joint Special Com-
mittee or Rules and Orders was lost— 28 for, 31
against.
Mr. Train— I should just like to ask for informa-
tion, if, under rule 20, the President has the
right to approve auy bill to be paid from the Coo-
tigent Fund?
The President— The rule does n't seem to say
anything about the President of the Council. It
oniy provides how the bills shall be approved.
Mr. Train— Then, taking this bill for a
sample, if the rule is properly carried out
aDd appioved by the chairman and members
of a committee, the question is whether
committees caa draw a part of this mooey.
If not, I can't see why' this order does n't
cover the case. It seems to bind the matter en-
tirely. I agree with tbe gentleman from Ward 24
[Mr. May] chat the bills should be approved by
the membprs partaking. Some of them may be in
New York or Rotterdam.
Mr. Adams of Ward 5—1 am opposed to all or-
ders of this class. It seems to me that if any com-
mittee have incurred auy legitimate expense,
while working for the city, they need not be
afraid to come in hern and present their bill to be
acted upon by the Council. I believe that the best
way is to meet things fairly and squarelv. No
committee would come in bete who had not
rightfully earned their supper. It seems to me
that by adopting any means to put this in the
hands of auy committee, we are placing it out of
our own jurisdiction. It seems to me there are
members who have abused this privilege in the
past, and it is not to be wondereJ at if there
should be soms in the present Council who will do
so. It seems to me that if we meet thes? bills, as
they come from time to time, it would be the
safest way to arrange it.
Mr. Howes— I move to amend, so that it will in-
clude merely the Committee on Elections, insread
of the "various committees."
Mr. Davereux— I accept the amendment and
move another, that the bills shall be approved by
the chairman and a majority of ths committee -
all tbe members oresent.
Mr. Howes's amendmeot w^s adopted.
Mr. Peabody moved to amend by substituting
"bills" for the second word "expanses."
Mr. Flynn — I move the indefinite postponement
of the order, as it appears to be running Into a
rut. Other committees will have to come here —
the Committee on Claim?, for instance, woo do a
great deal of work — and I see no reasou for ex-
cepting this committee.
"The motion to indefinitely postpone was ruled
out of order.
Mr. Peabody's amendmeot was adopted.
On motion of Mr. Flynn, the order was indefi-
nitely postponed.
TWENTY-SECOND OF FEBRUARY.
Mr. Kingsbury of Ward 19 offered the follow-
ing:
Ordered, That his Honor the Mayor be and be
hereby is requested to cause the flags to be dis-
played and bella to be rung in different parts of
the city on the Twenty-second day of February
next, in commemoration of the «.nniver°arv of the
birth of George Washington; the expense to be
charged to the appropriation for Incidentals.
Read twice and passed. Sent up.
Ou motion of Mr. Sampson of Ward 17, the Coun-
cil adjourned.
/
4,3
BOARD OF ALDERMEN,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen,
JANUARY 31, 1876.
Regular meeting at tour o'clock P. M„ Alder-
mao Clark, Chairman, presiding.
JDROltS DRAWN.
Thirty-tour traverse jurors for the Superior
Court, First Session. January term ; forty traverse
jurors for the Second Session, same court and
term; and twelve traverse jurors tor the Dor-
chester Muuicipal Court were drawn.
EXECUTIVK NOMINATIONS.
Police Officer— Edmund D. Wiggin.
Special Police Officers— Joseph Baker and Wal-
ter Baker, for duty at South Boston Branch Li-
brary.
Severally continued.
CHANGE OF EAST BOSTON RAILROAD TRACKS.
The following was received, read and referred to
the Committee on Paving:
Executive Department, 1
Jan. 31, 1876. (
To the Honorable the Board of Aldermen : Gen-
tlemen—The '-nclosed communication from the
treasurer of the Boston, Revere Beach & Lynn
Railroad Corporation is herewith transmitted for
your consideration. The same has been received
in response to a request made by me to tne presi-
dent and directors of said corporation, in compli-
ance with an oroer of your Board, passed Dec. 12,
1875. that they would relocate their tracks situat-
ed in East Boston. Samuel C. Cobb,
Mayor.
Boston, Jan. 28, 1876.
To the Honorable Mayor of the Sity of Boston—
Our company aie in receipt of yours of Dec. 15,
1875, "requesting, agreeable to an order of the
Board of Aldermen, tbe relocatioa of abortion
of the tracks of our road in East Boston, accord-
ing to plan E 31, deposited iu the office of the
City Engineer."
In reply, we would call the atteution of the
Board of Aldermen to the fact that quite recently
(within less tujn two years), after all required le-
gal notices had been given by our comoany, and
voluntarily repeated by the Boaid, or their com-
mittee, several hearings weie had, and after thor-
ough investigation ^heir Board granted the loca-
tion en which our road is now builr.
We h:ve good reasons for tha conclusion that
the present location is the very best that can be
• devised for toe interest, the convenience anci the
safety of the people who resioe or who do busi-
ness in that part ot the city; also, that a large
portion ot the petitioners for that change do not
(so far as our road is concerned) now desire it.
But toey do in tact, after seeing it in operation,
prefer that it shoul i remain as it is.
Further, it is not possible by the proposed route
to reai h our station and ferry landing in East Bos-
ton exceot by crossing at grade the turee princi-
pal streets under wbich the roan row passes
through its tunnel, which would be obviously
much more objectionable than toe present loca-
tion.
Our company. within one year after the location
wa» granted, constructed antl equiopeo it» road
by toe expenditure of a large anouut of muiiey.
Ith<s now beer mining successfully, ai.d with
satisfaction to 'be public, for six inontns.
The comparatively large business it has done,
and tne i umbei of passengers it has carried and
is now carrving, prove, quite conclusively, th <t it
ivas needed and that it is not out of its proper
place.
In vie tv of all the facts in our knowledge re-
garding it, we Fee no way to comply with your re-
quest, except by a Urge expenditure of the public
funds and an unnecessary saenfice of the public
aoaveniencB.
Respectfully submitted for the
Boston, Revere Ueach & Lynn Raihoad Company,
By John ft. Webster, Treasurer."
THE YORKTOWN MEMORIAL.
The following wms received, read and sent down:
Executive Department, |
Jan. 31, 1876. I
To the Honorable the City Council: Gentle-
men — I have much pleasure in transmitting here-
with a communication leceived from bis Honor
Mayor A. M. Keiley ot Richmond, Va., enclosing
the copy of a resolution adopted by the Council of
Richmond, in response to an invitation from me
that tney would cooperate with tbe authorities of
Boston in ai d of the pennon to Congress for the
erection of a monument at Yorktown, Va.
Samuel C.Cobb, Mayor.
Ol BICE oj Till. UATOB, i
Richmond, Va., Jan. 28, 1876.}
Hon. .Samuel C. Cobb, Mayor of Boston: Dear
Sir— You will observe from toe enclosed official
extract from the proceedings of our City Council
that I have been instructed to make suitable ac-
knowledgment of the fiaternal and patnotic ac-
tion of the authorities ol Boston, in the matter of
seeming from the Congress a redemption of tbe
pledge of the Continental Cougress, given a few
days after the victory at Yorktown, la 1781, to
commemorate by an appropriate mooument that
decisive battle.
As Ofje of many recent examples of the reuewal
of that good-will -ihich of old marked the inter-
course ot Massachusetts and Vitginia, 1 assure
you, sir, and the honorable Council, that this pro-
ceeding; bas elicited * lively and giateful interest
among our people.
I have communicated youi action aad our own
to the repres6atanve or this district in Coogress,
and can piomise his active aid in whateter fur-
ther efforts may be needeu to brirg the matter to
the attention of tbe Federal Legislature.
1 have the honor to be very respectfully
Your obedient servant,
A. M. Keiley, Mayor.
Council Chamber, I
Richmond, Va., Jan. 20, 1876. I
To His Honor the Mayor of Richmond: Dear
Sir— By resolution of the Council of Richmond,
this day approved by you, it is taus ordained:
"Wheieasthe city authoiities of Boston have
invited the concurrence of tne cities of Virginia
in an effoic to induce the Congress of the United
States to redeem the pledge ol the Continental
Congress, bv the ciecti.m of a mit bin monument
to commemoiate thfe battle of Yorktown, Oct. 19,
1781; and wher.as this patriotic proposal meets
the cordial co currence of this bodv —
Resolved, the Common Council concurring, taat
his Honor tbe Mayor be requested to make a suit-
able acknowledgment of the action of the City
Council of Boston, and cooperate in the way deem-
ed most effective, to secure the erection by the
Federal Government ot an appropriate memorial
to matk the sceue of the surrender of Cornwallis."
A. copy from the Rolls.
E. C. Howard, City Clerk.
WINTHROP & BOSTON RAILROAD.
The perition of the Wiothrop & Boston Railroad
for a location «ithin the ciiy was considered on
an order of notice for a bearing.
Dr. Samuel Ingalls appeared for the company,
and said tbe route within the city lies ucon the
property of the Boston Land Compauy. A-gainst
it theie is no opposition. He submittal a plan of
the toad and estimatts. It is to be a steam roid,
«f about half a mile distance vitbm the city
limits. Tbe entue land through which it is to
pass is marsh, on tbe ea'jt side of Breed's Islaud,
east of Saratoga strser, and striking th? Boston,
Revere Beach & Lynn Railroad halt a mile east of
a ttavelled sticet.
Tbe subject was referred to the Committ'e on
Paving.
PETITIONS REFERRED.
To the Committee on Health on the part of the
Board. John H. Fattee, fr>r le^ve to occupy a
new woden stable for three horses on Harris
court.
To the Committee on Faneuil Hall D. Banks
McKenzie et al., for usa of Faneuil Hall one week
for purpose ot holding temperance meetings
therein.
To the Committee on Lamps. Patrick O'Neill
et al., that lamps be placed on Baker street,
Ward 23.
To the Joint Special Committee to Nominate
Superintendents of Bridges. Chailes P. Philbrick,
for office of Superintendent of Dover-street Bridge.
To the Committee on Police. James D. Judge,
for leave to place letters on the lantern in front
of 79 Beach street.
To the Committee on Sewers. F. & A. Merritt,
for a sewer iu Reed's court.
To the Committee on Licenses. J. H. & E. J.
Hathorne, for license to run line of coaches in
JANUARY 31, 1876.
44:
this c'ty, from Northampton strt et, through cer-
tain streets, to Rowe's whaif ; thence coChailes-
towi , and retnrr. by the same route.
To the Committee on Streets on the part of the
Board. John Jeffries, Jr., that the Boa d estimate
the value oi damages done petitioner by the lay-
ing; out of top Bosro. , Revere Beach & Lynn Rail-
road, and '.rive securitv for the payment of the
same when awarded Oy t'.ie Board or a juiy.
To the Committee on Common on the part of
the Board. M. Evans, for leavs to cut down a
tiee on Brown avenue, Ward 23.
To the Committee on Paving. William I. Bow-
ditch, tiust- e, to be paid for damages to estate of
James Jacksoa, on Fifth street, caused by change
ct grade.
Patrick O'Neill et al., for sidewalk* on Baker
street, Ward 23.
Samuel N. Ufford et al., that, the plank w^ik on
Norfolk street, Ward 24, be repaireo.
Peter Quin a, to be paid for gra' e damages on
Adams street, Ward 24.
W. V. Hutcnings et al., that Washington street,
between Dudley and Arnold streets, aa repaved
with granite blocks.
Mindlpsex Railroad Co. to be beard in relation to
their petition submitted March 15, 1875, which has
not beeu acted on by the Committee on Paving.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Aii ordinance to ameod an ordinance iu relation
to the assessment and co'lection of taxes. (City
Doc. No. 17.)
Alderman Hall— It was the puipose of the sub-
committee who had this ordinance prepared, to
strike out section 10 of toe original ordinance en-
tirely and substitute a new section therefor. But
there was souoe misunderstanding iu the drawing
of the ordinance, and I offer as a substitute the
following new draft, whi^h is the same with that
exception :
An Ordinance
To Amend an Ordinauce concerning the Assess-
ment and Collection of Taxes.
Be it ordained, etc.,
Section 1. Tae seventh tectiom of tne ordioanc •
concerning the assess nent audcoliectionof taxes,
printed in the edition of laws and ordinances for
the year 1869, and amended March 8, 1870, is here-
by further amended by striking out the worcts
"and second."
Sect. 2. The said ordinance is hereby further
amended bv striking: out the tenth section thereof
and insertiDg the following:
"Sect. 10. It shall be the dutv of the First
Assistant Assessors to assist the Assessors in esti-
mating the value of th 1 * personal property, aod in
their respective districts, with one of the Assess-
ors or Second Assistant Assessor, to appraise
the value of the real estate, arid to take a list of
the polls t*ier<-in, and report the same io the
Board of Assessors. It shall be the duty of the
Second Assistant Assessors to visit, in company
with one of toe Assessors or First Assistant As-
sessors, the different estates in the districts to
which they shali be assigned, to aia him in the
dis barge of his duties."
The substitute was adopted.
Alderman O'Brien— This appears to be rather
an itnuortaut movement, aun, for my part, I
sbou'd like t > look icto it a little longer. I move
that the ordinance be laid on tha table and print-
ed.
The motion prevailed.
PAPERS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL.
Petitions were inferred ra concurrence.
Report <iJ Committee on Finance with order to
transfer fiom reserved fund $67,246.17 co Parker
Hill Reservoir. Passeu iu concurrence — yeas 11,
navs 0.
Report nominating Alderman Sampson and
Messr=. Newtoo and Day as directors ot East Bos-
ton Ferries.
Alderman Burrage — Peibaps a word of explana-
tion is due as to the reason the signatu e of the
chairman was attached to the previous report
without his knowledge. It seems that a member
of the committee from the other branch signed it
in accordance with the custom ot a committee to
which he belonged when lie, was a member of the
Council some vears ago.
The report was accepted in concurrence.
Report3 nominating Aivah H. Pete v s as City
Messenger, and George A. Clougb as City Archi-
tect. Severally accepted.
Election ot Charles E. Rice as a member of the
Coehituate Water Board, in place of Augustus
Paiker, chosen by "his Board.
The Board proceeded to ballot Aldermen
Tbo nason and Hull w^re the committee to collect
and count vjtes. I'hey i'3port u d —
Whole number of votes 12
Necessary for a choice 7
Augustus Parker 6
Charles E. Rice 6
And there was no choice. A second oailot tesult-
ed as follows :
Whole number of votes 12
Necessary for a choice 7
A-ugustus Parker, 6
Charles E. Rice tj
And there was no choice. A third ballot resulted
as follows:
Whole number of votes 12
Necessary for a choice 7
Augustus Parker 6
Charles E. Rice 6
And there was no choice.
On moH'iu of Alderman Stebbios, the subject
was laid on th table.
Order authoiizitg City Surveyor, with the ap-
proval ot the committ* oa hi3 departuieot. to
make such purchases of supplies, lostmments,
drawing materials, aod incur such ot^ei cxpen-es
as may be oecessacy lot tuat department during
the present Municipal year. Passe j in concur-
rence.
0«der authorizing the Superintendent of Public
Building's, under direction < t the Committee on
Public Builthna-s, to supply the necessary fumi-
ture for. and cause to 6e made such repairs and
cleaning as maybe needed upon the City Hall,
and such r- pairs on police st. lions, engine houses,
and other public buildings as are i ot made by de-
partments using the sa ne; ana order to authorize
Sfcid Superintendent, under direction of ^aid com-
mittee, to supply necessary furniture for, ana
cause to be made such repairs and cleaning as
may De needetl m the several high, gr n.inar and
primary scboolhouses. Severally passed in con-
currence.
CAMBRIDGE BRIDGES.
The annual report of the Superinteno'e t ot the
Commissioners ou Bridges between Boston and
Cambridge (City Doc. No. 20) was received. It
gives details or the expense ot rebuilding the
draw ot the West Boston Bridge. Toe draw of
the West Boston Briage nas been opened 1725
times during the year, and th<,t of Cragie Bridge
2737 lines. The expei se of t'e two bridges, in -
cludir.g repairs, has been $32,331.61. SeEt down.
THE LOCATION OF TELEGRAPH WIRES.
A communication was received from the Board
of Fire Commissioners, calling the attention of
the Citv Council to the fact that in many stieets
of the city tel- graph wires are canied across the
streets fiom the uppei part ot one building to the
lower part of the building opposite, and that these
wires present a very serums obstruction to the
raising ot la doers io case of a fire; and tbey fur-
ther ask that such action be t^ken as may be nec-
eesary to cause the obstacl.-, to the operation of
the Fire Department to be removed. And to this
end tftey recommend that no wires be allowed, to
be carried across the; stieec below the level ot the
buildings to winch chev ate attached.
R°feired to Joint Committee oi Fire Depart-
ment. Sent clown.
NUMBER OF VOTERS IN THE NEW WARDS.
A request was received from the General Court
for the number of legal voters according to the
census in the several wards of tbw city of^Boston
as established under the recent division
Alderman Stebbms offered the following-
Ordered, That the City Clerk procure from the
censors appointed by this hoard in 1875, the num-
ber of legal voters located i>. the several wards of
this city as now constituted, also the population
of che several wards; the expense io be charged
to the appropriation tor Registration of Voters
and Election Expenses.
Alderman Stebcius-It is proper to state that
the City Clerk has already conferred with the
parties who took the census last year, and has as-
certained that the expense will not exceed $100
The order was read twice and passed. Sent
down.
STREET DAMAGES.
Alderman Burrage, from the Committee on
Streets on tae part of the Board, submitted an or-
der to pay Jeremiah Kelleher *58.80 for land taken
and damages occasioned by the widening of Bax-
tei street. Read twice and passed.
45
HOARD OF ALDERMEN,
CASE OF 0ONGBE88-STBEBT BRIDGE.
Alderman Buirage offered t'.ie following:
Ordered, That tbe cure aud superintendence of
the Congress-street Bridge be nausf erred from
the Joint standing Com mitiec on Sheets to the
Committ* e on Bridge*.
Read twice aoii pa-sed. Sect down.
MARKET,
Alderman Burraga submitted reports fiom the
Committee on Market la favor of aoproral <>f
trausi r of lease ot cellar No. 3, Ne« Faneuil Hall
Market, from Henry Frost, Jr., i<> Edward P.
Church; and of traosfei of Henij N.Ayers'sin-
terestio soaU 91 and cellar 16, Fa euil Hail Mar-
ket, to William W. Tolman. Severally accepted.
PAVING REPORTS AND ORDERS.
Alderman Bigelow submitted the following fiom
tbe Committee on Paving:
K* port and order of notice for a hearing on
Monday, Feb. 21, 1876, on petition ot Metiopolitan
Rail oad Company lor e-viei.sjon of loc tion by
construction ot tracks in Franklin, Oliver and
other sttctts. Order passed.
Report recommending that W. F. Gilbert, Super-
intendent of Reuairs, have have to open the
streets arovud the United States Custom, House,
under the direction of the Superintendent of
Streets. Accepted.
Report of leave to withdraw ou petition of
Arioch Wentworth tor leave to locate a steam
boiler under the sidewalk ot No. 1 Havwarci place.
Accepted.
Report that leave be granted Sylvestei Richards
to move a wooren building from Lexington street,
Ward 3, to Somerville. upon the usual conditions.
Accepted.
Rppo.ts and orders directing the City Collector
to abate sidewalk assessments as follows : Estate
of Thomas Lacy, deceased, 136 Silver street, South
Boston, $15.47; Maiy A. Wnson, Charles streer,
Chanesiown, $28.15; Mary Kelley, 62 K street,
$19.36— the owners of said estates being unable to
pay toe same. Oram's severally read twice aud
passed.
Oroerforthe Superintendent of Streets to grade
Curtis street as recentiv laid out by the Street
Commissioners from Saratoga street to Chelsea
stieet, East Bostoa; estimated cost $2500. Read
twice »nrt passed.
Ordered, That the Superintendent of Streets
notify the parties who have deposited earth, street
sweepings or other materials upon Huntington
avenue betweeu Dartmouth street and the Boston
& Albany Railroad <o forthwith remove the same,
ano to desist from depositing such materials upon
said avenue hereafter; and if said materials are
not removed within fourteen days froru th<» date
of the oassage of this order, tbe Superintendent
of Streets is Hereby authorized and directed to
remove the same at the expense of said oaities.
Read twice and passed.
Ordered, That tne Superintendent of Streets be
directed to repair Dartmouth-street Bridge ac-
cording to plans and specifications arawn oy the
City Engineer, at an estimatsd cost of $2500. Read
twice and passed.
REPAIRS ON COUNTY BUILDINGS.
Aldei man Pope offered the following :
Oioeied, That the Committee on County Build-
ings be and thuy are hereDy authorized to cause
such repairs aod alterations" to be made as may be
needed on the court house, couuty jail ano pro-
bate builciiig; also on tbe Municipal Couit rooms
in the Highlands, Dorchester, West Roxbury,
Brighton, Chailestov-n, East and South Boston,
provided such lepairs ano alterations shall not ex-
ceed the sum of $5000 on any one building during
the municipal yeai ; the expense therefor to be
charged to clis" appropriation r'oi the Couot.y ot
Suffolk.
Ordered, That the Committe- on County Build-
ings be authorized to provide the uecessaiy furni-
ture for the court house aud probatf budding;
also, for the Municipal Court rooms, Highlands,
Dorchester, West Roxburv, Brighton, Charles-
town, Ea«t and South Boston; the expense there-
for to be charged to the appropriation for the
County of Suffolk.
Severally read once.
PROPOSED TRANSFER OF DUTIES OF HARBOR
MASTER TO THE POLICE.
Al lermaii Bun-age— I find that it i» the opinion
of m?ny members of the City Government that
the office of Harbor Master should be abolished,
aud its duties transferred to tbe Police Depart-
ment. 1 have heretofore oeen of a contrary opin-
ion; but 1 should be glad to Imv- the "matter
investigated, ana the opinions of tbose having tbe
management of city affairs and the owneis of
Steamers and vessels in the harbor ascertained,
and I therefore offer the following order:
Ordered, Ttiat the Com nittee on the Harbor
consider the expediency of abolishing the office
of harbor master, * nd of transferring the_po era
and duties of that officer to the Police Depart-
ment,
Read twice and parsed. Sent down.
MINORS' LICEJN E8.
Alderman Bigelow offered rhe following:
Ordered^ That all licences granted to minors for
the pursu't of any voc -non, or tor the sale of any
fruits or provision . whatever, live animals,
brooms, agricultural implements, fuel, newspa-
pers. I ooks or pamphlets, agricultural products
of the United States, tbe products of his own la-
bor, or any labor of his own family, for which
licenses are by law required to bo granted by this
Board, shall be granted upon th« following terms
and condition-, wnich shall be Inserted in the cer-
tificate, with such oth9<- conditions ard regula-
tions as this Board may deem expedient, viz., [The
rules are toe same as those of last year.]
Read twice and passed.
LICENSES.
Alderman Bigelow submitted reports from the
Committee on Licenses as follows:
Pawnbroker's License Refused— M. Van Dam,
315 Federal street.
Wagon License Granted — Joseph Matiasovits,
corner Church and Melrose t-treers.
Minors' Applications Granted — Forty- eight
newsboys,
License for Skating Rink Granted— H. R. Plimp-
ton, 1075 Washington saeet.
Auctioneers' License B> fused— Smith <i* Hurd,
73 and 75 B'ancbard street.
Auctioneers Licensed — D. McKiucey & Sons,
cornet Washington a od Wioship streets; Cooper
& Kilo, 154 Main street, (leuewal); Aaron D.
Capen, River street, Ward 24,
License to Take Birds and Esgs Granted —
Robeit, son of John L. Swift.
Severally accepted.
MASSACHUSETTS WORKS OF ART AT THE CENTEN-
NIAL.
Aldeiman Bigelow submitted the following:
The Joint Special Committee to whom was re-
ferred the p-tition of Cnaiies C. Perkins and
othen that pictures of historical value belonging
to the city may be placed in tbeii charge for exhi-
bition at the C ntennial Exposition in Philadel-
phia, navmg considered the subject, beg leave to
submit the following report: Thi petit! -tiers have
in charge the eoll-ction ot wotks of art by
the artists of Massachusetts, both of the
present and past times, with the view
of giving a wo'tuy representation of the progress
of the fine arcs in "our State from its earliest be-
ginning, fjey ar° specially desiious of securing
this poitrait ot Samuel Adams, painted by I'oplev,
and now teposited in Fanbuil Hall, a 3d tbe por-
trait of Peter Faneuil, painted by Sargent, and
also oepositea in Faneuil Hall. The petitioners
propose to exercise all possible ca:e in the pack-
ing aud transportation ot ihe pictures, arid agree
to conform to such conditions as tbe City Council
maj see fit to impose. In the opinion of the om-
mit'tee it is expedient that the request of the peti-
tioners should be granted, and they would there-
fore respectfully recommend the passage of tue
following order:
Ordered, That the portraits of Samuel Adams
and Peter Faneuil, now deposited in Faneuil Hall,
be loaned to Charles C. Perkins and his associates
forming the Committee on the Collection of Works
of Art by the artists of Massachusetts, for exhi-
bition at the International Exposition of 1876, 13
Philadelphia, provided that the said committee
cause the said portraits to be carefully packed
and transported at their O'vn expense, and in such
a manner as will p-essrve them trorn injury; and
also have them iusured against loss by fire for an
amount not less than $4000, the policy to be for
the benefit of tbe citv of Boston in case of loss,
and tbe said committee to pay the premium ot
insurance.
Alderman Burrage asked for some leasonsfor
recommending the passage of the order.
Alderman Bigelow— The committee who have in
charge the exhibition of the works of present and
JANUARY 31
1876
4,6
past artists of Massachusetts are very desirous of
mating: as good a snowing as ooss ble at the In-
ternational Exhibition, and, as vou know, nave
petitioned tor the loan of certain pictures in
Faneuil Hall. They weie desirous of having
another picture which is depositee! in the Public
Library, but on account of the condition ou which
it w s preseoted to toe city it cannot be loaned to
thpin; it was given on the expr°ss condition (hat
it should nor t> removed from the Public Library.
The conmiftee have examined the subject pretty
thoroughly, and are of >he opinion tbac toe peti-
tion should be granted, Ic is the intention of this
committee to have an ezhibitiou in Boston pre-
vious to ser ding the collection to Philadelphia,
and give the people of this city an oppoiturity to
see the colieciiOQ without going to Philadelphia.
Tde order went over.
NOMINATIONS OF SUPERINTENDENTS.
Alderman Hull submitted a repoit fiom the
joint special committer to nominate a candidate
tor Superintendent of Public Budding, , recorn-
nending the el-ction ot James C Tucker. Ac-
cepted. Sent down.
Alaerman Vile* submitted a report fiom the
joint special committee to nominite a candidate
for Superioieiinent of Sewe.-s, recommending tbe
election of William K. Biadlej . Accepted. Sent
down.
PROTECTION OF WORKS OF ART OWJN ED BY THE
CITY.
Alderman Bigekrv offered the following::
Ordered, that a joint special committee, con-
sisting of t?-o members of this Board, with such
as the Common Council may join, b- appointed to
consider whether any measures should bfi taken
for tbe better preservation ot the wcks of art
owned b.y the city and now deposited in Facenil
Hall.
Alderman Bigelovv— Iu offering this order I wish
to say a woid in explanation. No doubt every
memoerof this Biara is as well acquainted with
tbe value of the works of art ra Faneuil Hall as
myself. Probably no paintings in tju country
have a greater historical v:lue, ano any disaster
to them would be a national calamity. An article
in the Transcript, nearly a year apo. called tbe at-
tention or the City Government to this matter,
shoeing very cleariy the great oanger from fire on
account ot the peculiar natu e of the business
underneath tbe hall. 4. cen un degree of -security
has been lelt on account of the open space around
the cuilaing, giving tbe l<ire Deoanme t an ad-
vantage io case of a conflagration. There would
be some force in this argument, were u notfor tbe
combustible nature ot the merchandise stored
there. Th j manner of beating- is dangerous, and,
as the write i in the Transcript says, "the v/ooder
is that the wtiole edifice ha* not ourned down be-
fore tbis." Many of these paintings are tbe
works of celebrated mastejs, and nave a great
money value, but of this I will cot speak; the
principal value is in tbeir historical associations,
being: so n timately connected with the Revolu-
tion and the illustrious men whose names are so
dear to every American. I have long telt a ner-
vous aoxicy foi th- ir safety, and in consequence
have m-rodu.-ed this order, trusting it aay be
favorably received.
Th* order was passed, and Aldermen Bigelow
aod O'Brirn were appointed on said committee.
Sent down.
ASSESSORS' DEPARTMENT.
Alderman Wbiddeo submitted the following
ftom the Joint Coramiiteeon the Assessors' De-
partment:
Taxes Refunded. The Joint Standing Commit-
tee on Assessor?' Department, to whom was re-
ferred the petition of the- heirs ot T. W. Snow,
tnat certain taxps as<essrd and paid io 1874 may
be refunoe-'i, having- coosidered the subject, beg
leave to submit the following- report: Toe Assess-
ors of the town of West Roxbury bad assessed the
petitioners upon a certain amount of personal
property, and, after arnexation, th3 Assessors
of Boston, upon the representation of tbe peti-
tioner? that tbe property remai ed unchanged,
assessed upon the sam- amount. It now
appears that the property consisted of na-
tional bank stock and shares in Massa-
chusetts corporations which are not assess-
ed by the assessors ujoo individuals in tbe
usual manner, but are assessed upon tbe corpora-
tiot s ana the amount of tbe tax credited to the
city. Tbe t-x ucon the propeity in questiou was
therefore paid twice in the year 1874, ind in the
opinion of your committee the amount received
by the city should be refunded. They votild there-
fore recommend tne passage of the following-
Ordered, That, too City Treasurer be and he is
hereby oir. cted to refund to tbe heirs of T. W.
Scow tbe taxes assessed upon their personal piop-
erty m 1874, amounting- to $ 184.08; sard sum to be
charged >o tbe receii ts for taxes of 1874
Rea;l once.
Beach-street Presbyterian Church. Report that
no action is necessary on p* tit' on of tr ste°s of
Beach-street Presbyterian Church for abatement
of tax, the subject coming within tbe pi ovince of
tbe Assessors. Accepted. Sent down.
dominations of Assessors. Report recommend-
ing tne election of Thomas Hills, Benjamin Cush-
mg, Horice South, I nomas J. Bancroft, and Ben-
jamiD F. Palmer as Assessors of T'axes. Accepted.-
Sent down.
Leave to Withdraw Reports of leave to with-
draw on petitions o£ American Steam Safe Com-
pany, for abatement of taxes on personal proper-
ty: an; Herman D. Bradt and G. W. Seavercs,
that certain taxes asses>ed and paid in 1872-73-74
may be refunded. Severally accepted. Sent
down.
BRIDGES.
Alderman Burnham submitted the following
from tbe Committee on Bridges:
Ordered, That bis Ho:or the. Mayov be request-
ed to petition tbe General Court for the passage
of an act authorrzing the rebuilding and widen-
ing of (Chelsea Bridge aod Dover-street Bridge;
and also for the passage of an act to regulate the
pa-sage of vessels through the draws or bridges
in Boston aod its vicinity.
Alderman Burnham— The Committee on Bridges
have under consideration a petition for the re-
construction of Chelsea Bridge. In the main it
relates to that portion of the bridge whicb will be
reconstiu leo by filling the part adjoining the
terrico'-y occupied by the Boston & Lowell Rad-
road Company and the Mystic River Improvement
Company. If anything is to be none, tbe first
move will be to secure the widening of the
budge, and consequently additional legislation
will have to be secured. In reference to the
widening ot Dover-street Bridge, the city is al-
ready committed to tbe project wnen extensive
repairs are needed, % lot cf land having been
taken on the south sue from the shore to the
commissioners' iine of solid fi'liog. It has also
appeared to the committ:e tbat somo little diffi-
culties havs arisea between dr&w tenders and
masters of vessels, and additional legislation is
required in ord?r that the powers ot draw tenders
may be better understood.
The order was read twice and passed. Sent
down.
DAMAGE FOR SEWER.
Alderman Viles offered an order to pay D?borah
F., wife of Benjamin S. Jov, $28.20 for land taken
and damages occasioned by tbe construction of a
sewer through the valley of Dorchester Brook.
Read t vice and passed.
SALE OF BAGGAGE RECOMMENDED.
A'derman Stebbins submitted a report from the
special committee to examine the unclaimed bag-
gage advertised to be sold by tbe Boston & Al-
bany Railroad Company, that they have attended
to tbat duty, and recommend tbat the Board ap-
prove the oroposed sale thereof, as authorized by
chapter 80 of the General Statuts. Accepted.
TRE3 TO BE REMOVED.
Alderman Clark submitted a report from the
Committee on Commcn on the part of the Board
in favor of granting leave to E. M. Smith to re-
move a tiee at the corner of Eliot and Pond
streets, Ward — , at his own expense, under the
direction of the Superintendent of Common and
Publie Gr> uncs. Accepted.
SQUARE ON COMMONWEALTH AVENUE.
Th& Chairman submitted a leport from the
Committee on Finance on report ot Committee on
Common of last year for requesting an appropria-
tion of $10,000 tor the purpose of grading, curb-
ing and fencing tb9 square on Commonwealth
avenue, between Fairfi Id and Gloucester fleets,
recommending the passage of the following:
Ordered, That the Auditor of Accounts be aid
he hereby is authorized to transfei from the Re-
served Fund the sum of $8000 io constitute a
special appropriation for the purpose ot grading,
curbing and feuciugthe squaieon Commonwealth
avenue between Faiifield and Gloucester streets.
Read twice and passed— veas 11, nays 0. Sect
own.
4:7
BOAIM) OF AJLDERMEN
VAI.i LTIOX OF REAL r.Si'ATi: IN BOSTON.
on i notion 1 1 Alderman O'Brien, the Boaid cook
fi inn the t..iii Hi order for the Committee on the
Assessors' ;>■ partmeot to consider wbat action is
iici-c -:ny to adjust tbe valuation of toe taxable
property ii ibis citvsothatii may represenc tbe
market value.
Alderman O' Brie — It'appears to me that this
order of inquiry migbt as well be disposed of now,
,;S tliis is i in- only lime that any good can follow
from its consideration for another year at least.
If i,ne Al erme , are satisfc'e i that no good results
will Follow; that Lae real estate of the city is now
taxed at, its true cash valuation; that the com-
plaints tbat nave been so widespread are ground-
less; that no citizen lias any i?ason to complain
■ about the taxation ol 'lis property — vote ic down.
But if, on the contrary, we are forced to believe
what almost every real-estate owner is readv to
admit, that his pro oerty is oveiraxe'., then it is
our dutv to institute an inquiry, and, if possible,
retneny rhe evil; for if such is the case, it is an
evil of the greatest magnitude. If the Assessors'
valu; tion is tme, Boston stands today the modern
Kl Dorado, tsiie has made more rapid piogress in
material wealth than any eitv in the country, if
the assessment i^ true, Boston commences the
centennial year ahead of all other Ameri-
can" cities, and tor .nateiiai prosperity dur-
ing the past eight yeais no c'ty in the world
can show such a percentage of increase. Chicago
is looked upon as th3 wonder of Western civiliza-
tion. Her lapid growth and prosperity have been
almost a marvel. A wilderness in 1830, a city in
1837, her pro -ress has b';en looked uj on *itb as-
tonishment; but the assessed market valuation of
real estate in Chicago in 1872 amounted to $239,-
154,890, while rh* incrsase of teal estate in Boston
as it dow stac as, during the past eight years, if
we taks the valuation of Roxbury . Xiorchester,
Charlestown, West Roxbury and Brigh on at their
real-: state valuation at the time of anr. fcxntion —
the only figures that I have at hand to make a
comoarison — has beea $222,850,000. I*, nas raken
Chicago thirty years to build up a ciiy with an
assessed valuation of $239,154,890, act! it is looked
uuou as wonderful. Boston has increased her
real-estate valuation in eight years $222,856,000,
far eclipsing Chicago in the iace for wealth, and
we have j et scarcely found it our. Ciucinnatim
1874, a city of 250J000 inhabitants, and noted for
bei great enterprise, had a real-estate valuation
of $123,231,790, but the real estate of Boston
has ir creased almost enough in eight years to
build up two such cities as Cincinnati." The laxa-
fcle basis of the citv of Baltimore iu 1875, with a
population of 350,000 inhabitant:, was $231,365,863.
If we take the t*xible ha- 1* of Boston, real and
personal, our city has increased in eight years
mote thanthe entire taxable basisot Baltimore at
the present time. The great city of New York,
the commercial metropolis of the couotty, with
about, 1,250,000 inhabitants; with her ASto'rs ad
Stewarts and other millionnaires ready to build
immense hotels and warehouses and costly dwell-
ing-, bad a teal estaie valuation ivi 1874 of $881,-
547,995, while Boston, a city ot less than one-third
as many iunabitauts, has a valua r ion of $558,769,-
500, a difference of sav $322,778,495 in favor of New
York. If tbe ctv of New York was assessed on
the same basis as B-iston.the valuation of hei teal
estate would be n arer $1,600,000,000. The real es-
tate of Philadelphia, wiih a population of 800,000,
was assessed in 1875. on its market, value, for
$565,819,095, sav $7,000,000 more than the as-
sessed vaiuu of real estate in Boston for
the s^me year, with a population of 340,000. To
show ttiat these figures are not ovei stated 1 will
give the official returns of our Assessor", upon
which these calcula ions are based:
In £1867 Boston proper was taxed tor real
estate $250,587,000
Roxbury annexed in 1 807 for 18,265,400
Dorchester annexed in 1869 for 12,826,200
Charlestown annexed in 1873 for 26,016,160
West Roxbury annexed in 1873 for 16,254,350
Brighton annexed in 1873 for... 11,964,450
Making a total valuation of real estate.. $335,913,500
Valuationin 1875 , 558,913,500
Increase in eight years $222,856,000
These figures snow that we have far eclipsed all
other cities m the country in material prosperity,
outiug the p*si eight years, and it true we have
reason to congratulate ourselves on the enterprise
that has led to suca brilliaot results. An increase
of $222,856,000 id eight years is wonderful, even in
tins age of wonders. But, I would ask, have we
not teen going ahead a nttle too tast for such a
conservative old city as Bo-ton, and i- it not time
to aitse, reflect aid* it-quire it our basis is really *
true one— if, in the la iguage ol Colonel Sellers,
there is realty "millions in i<"?
With the annexation of Roxbury in 1867 com-
menceii the maun of speculation. The price of
land and dwt-bi- jrs doubled and trebled in many
instances in a year. I hat annexation leo to smii
seeming prosperity, Dorchester followed in 1869,
and speculation increased, ap went the prices of
houses and lands, and up weni valuation. Charles-
town, West Roxbury and Brighton followed in
1873, ai d about this time the reaction commenced.
It began to be appaicnt that we were goiLg ahead
a little too fast. Men without a djiiar of camtal
bought lands and Hi • ber and budding matenals
at high prices and e>ecteabuil ing- that could
not be sold tor anything lite cost when the reac-
tion commences, and, of course, somebody had to
suffer. Many of the leading lumber houses in the
city nave, in consequence, bee a c -nipei ed to sus-
pend. Now, it might be a vcrv proper inquiry if
our valuation has beea based on these speculative
prices, and if such a valuation should be con-
tinued.
The reaction commenced in 1873, but on tne
first or May, 1874, the leal estate of the city was
assessed at $554,200,150; and notwitbsta- ding the
depression throughout 1874, the valuation of real
estate on the first of Mav, 1875, was $558,769,500, an
increase ot $4,569,350 i a vearof great depression.
Is this nossible? The shrinkage on p rsonal prop-
erty during that year « as $9,556,500. I might en-
large uenn this matter further, and show how
much oiopeitv has b:en actually sold at a large
discount from the assessed valuation, and counter
statements inigh' be made to show how much
properi v has been so'd at more than its assessed
valuation; but I prefer to take the valuation as a
whole instead of isolated cases. I repeat, it our
assessment is a true one, Boston sra-jus todav tbe
most piospeious citv in thi country, per-
hans in the «for>d. It we have accumulated and
increased our real tstatf $222,856,000 in eight
years, no othe-' city can show such a record and
such unparelielen prosperity. If thefiguiesof
our Assessors' books are eo.ieCt, Boston is a mod-
ern El Doiado. I do not care what you do vvirh
this order. I would prefer to hav^ it'ioquired in-
to, but if the ju-'.gm-ent ot this Board thi ks dif-
ferently. I feel that I have only done my duty in
calling attention to tbb fact-, and tbat iu so doing
soaie good results may foilo -. . there is no sub-
ject tbat lequi/es mor;; inquiry or investigation at
the pre:eut time than ihe assessment of real es-
tate and ter-O' al property. The burden of taxa-
tion now falls on the miodling classes almost ex-
clusively. There is scarcely a wealthy citizeu, a
mill ionnaire, that nays what he ought to pay, or
is taxed anything like the full amount o - bis
personal property, and it is the tenants of his
real estate that have to pay tbe tsx on that
property. Tbe Stafj la>vs, in fact, offer
tne mi'lionnaite a premium toquietlv become a
resident of some suburoan toyvn, and thus evade
his taxes on personal property. Tbe Committe"
on the Assessors' Depaitinent could make all
necessary inquiry, ann if deemed advisable rec-
ommend the appointment of a commission ot in-
telligent gentlemiu to take the whole subject
into consid ratioo, and so simplify our laws that
tbe rich and middling classes should equally bear
the burdens. If the amount of personal property
that does cot pav one cent of faxes could be as-
certained it would a-tomsh our citizen?, and if all
property TTr as equally taxed the taxat'on would be
so low that no citizea would have reason to coin-
plaia.
Alderman Burrage— I should be willing to vote
for the order if it woulo produce any practical
lesuits; but I oon't see what powers tbe commit-
tee have m th- premises. They roa» make i.a in-
vestigation and lecommend an application to the
Legislature for some change in tbe law; but it
seems to me tbat the jbject has been attained by
calling public attention to th< whole subject, and
whatever Board ot Assessois we may c boose will
be "overned by the sense of this Board as ex-
piessed, and we shall have a more exact valuation
of the oioperty hereafter,— at least I tiust
that will be the case. I agree almost en-
tirely with the remarks of tbe Alderman
who bas just spoken, that a reform is needed, and
I think tiiat, in nrevioos years, tne Assessors nave
made a mistake. I would not- impugn their mo-
tives or judgment, but it seems to roe tbat in val-
JANUARY 31, 1876
"4fc*
uing property as fiey have, under oatb, toey have
tot been strict constructionists of wbar was meant
by an appraisal according to its cash value. I
'»ould like to heai th" opi ion of tbe Committee
on Assessors' Department as to the feasibility of
this investigation— -^betaer they desire io nave
this matter cornmitte d to them.
Alderman Hull— I am opposed to tb° passage of
this order, first, i-.ecause so much of it applies to
rsal estate. It wi I be impossible to have any
legislation tbat will regulate the value of leal es-
tate. I deem it. amaa r beyond our jurisdiction,
or tbat of any legislative body. The value of
real estate must be fixed by the judgment oi men,
and I don't think it possiDie to make a law that
will regulate the judgment of men in that rsgarcl.
Then, with regard to personal prop^ity, that has
alreadv been legitimately referred to tne Commit-
tee on Assessors' Department, who have the -ub-
ject under C"PSideiation and will r.o doubt sub-
mit tht-ir report in due season.
Alderman Waidden— I am ia favor of the mas-
sage or i be order tor the very reason that Alder-
man Hull opposes it. I wane tbe AssessoiS to un-
derstand what the feding of this Board is, wheth-
er tliey are able to take any action nn it or not. I
am io 'favor ot the passage of the order ror that
reason.
Aloerman Stebbins— It seems to me rnat the
only practical suggestion mane by the Alderman
who iutroduced the order was, that possibly a
commission anight be appointed by the Legisla-
ture to investigate this whole method of taxing
the property of the Commonwealth. Now the Al-
derniio must be aaare th *t the State app >intsd a
commission or that kind about two years since,
and they mace a report to the Legislature of
1875, which was considered tbe most able re-
port ever submitted upou tbe question of tax-
ation. It covered tr>e whole matter in all
its details — even the very point to which he
alluo.es, tbe escape of personal proper y from tax-
ation, l'hey made important recommemiacions,
which, it ihey should be adopted bv the Legisla-
tuie, would fix the question of a mau's oomicile,
where he shall be taxed. If the recommendations
ot rhat commissi hi are adopted, it will result in a
gteat saving of taxes to tbe citv of Boston, l'be
chair nan of that commission was the chairman of
our own Boaid of Assessors, ilia whom none is
better as an expert in alt matters relating io <,he
taxatioo ot property. Sines this matter • as under
discussioa the other oay, I have taken some little
pains ta ascertain by actual sales of property since
the last assessment whether or not our Assessor s
ate cone«t n* the valuations they place upon
real estate. I have here a long list ot sales;
I will not rear! it at length, but simply
state the substance. Take Ward 6 fltst, wheie
lnoit of tttz, complaints come rrotn. There
have been numerous sales of real estate turough-
out the euti e ward within the past year. One es-
tat- valued by the Assessors at $ 16,000 sold for
$16,180. Another, valued at $11,000, sold tor $14,-
000. Another on Commonwealth avenue, assessed
at $50,000, sold tor $49,000 An estate upon Bea-
con streec, valtuid bv tte Assessors at $50,000, sold
foi $60,000. A lot of vacant Land betwrea Ward 6
and Brooiiline, valued at $45,000, sold for $58,-
000. Another estate upon Beacon street, as-
sessed at $38,000, sold for $50,000. There
were several estates sold upon Bracon Hill.
One on Chestnut street, valued at $19,500, sold
for $24,000. Another estate on Beacou street,
assessed at $55,000, sold for $75,000. There are sev-
eral • sta'ss north ot Myrtle street- one asc?s->ed
at $5500, sold for $6000; one valued at $9300, «oia
for $9000; one assesse > at $11,000, brought $10,070.
Tbe total amounts of sales in Ward 6 were as fol-
low*: Assessed valuation, $476,853; actual sales,
$533,903 — an it crease over the assessed valuation
of $56,050, or about eleven percent. That is a very
good showing for the ability ot our Board of As-
sessors in estimating the value of prop°t ty in that
ward. I Dave also astateme t of actual sales of
propetty in a potion of Ward 12 Here is a lo- g
list ol bouses of the medium class. O eonOldHar-
bo' street, valued at $5000, sold tor $4400. An-
other, assessed at $3200, sold for $3600. The total
assessed value of lands sold is $78,600; the amount
ot actual sales is $88,537— or ovet 12% percent,
above tee valuation. There, again, is agood show-
ing tor out Board of Assessors. These are actual
sales.
alderman Burrage -When did they take place?
Alderman Stebbins— Si ace the first or May, 1875,
the last assessment. I havo also a list of a por-
tion of Cue second part ot old Ward 14. Here is a
condensed record of forty sales haaoed to me by
Mr. L. F. Morse, one of out Board of Assessors,
amounting to $282,954, the valuation of which, as
fix -,d by the Assessors, is $236,530, the property
having brought $46,454, or twenty pel c .nt., more
than the assessed va'ue. There were four sales
for less than the assessed value, and o-'e or two
auction sales where the depreciation was quite
marked. Now, with regard to the effect which
the valuation fijrec' by the Board of Assess-
ors has in relation fq tbe citv's portion
of the Star*' taxes. It should be borne in mind
that tb~ valuation for State purposes is fixed by a
committee of the Legislature. Tney formerly
paid but little regard to the valuation of real anil
personal property fixred by the Assessors, as will
be seen by the following statemeut: In 1840 tbe
city valuation of Boston was $94,581,000; and the
State valuation ot the city the same year was
$109,304,218 The next decade (1850) showe.i the
city valuation to be $180,000,000, and the Stale
valuation $213,310,067. In 1860, the citv valuation
was $276 861,000; a.-.d th State valuation $312,-
000,000. In 1864 the citv valuatun was $332,449,-
000; the State valuation $378,303,357. The average
increase on $1000 by the State committee over
that of our uity Assessors was about 23y 2 per cen*\
In 1871, ui'der the system inaugur t=-a bv out pres-
ent Board of Assessors, the valuatt >n by tbe crcv
was $645,682,826, woiie i natby the State, taking the
average ot cite fiv° years preceding, wa« $038,870,-
531--showing that ihe valuation as fixed by the
present Board of Assessors is very nearly that of
rhe State T >x Commissioner and the com iiittee
of the Legislature. Now, I don't know Hardly
what pecentage tne Alderman would have this
assessment reduced. What percentage would he
suggest should oe taken from the present valua-
tion ot the city? Will be indicate what per ce >t.
— takitg the average of the $800,000,000— he thinks
is overvalued ?
Alaerman O'Brien — I am not prejareo to indi-
cate what percentage ought to be deducted from
tbe assessed value of real estate; but l don't
think these sales actually amount to anything. I
might have brought, in tacts enough io occupy
ttis Boaid two ot three evenings if I shoulo ex-
hibit the whole of them. If the Alderman wil'
examine tha sales and the assessed value of the
propeitv he has given, he will find such great ine-
qualities that will make them almost valueless.
For instance, bete is a c py of the Assessors' val-
tiation of < Id Ward 14 — from which the Alderman
read. In that ward apparently but four estates
«er" sold during the past year under the
Assessors' valuation ; but you take any one
of these sales — for instance, one valued
at $20,500, sold for $20,000, or $500 less. The next
sale on the list was property valued at $10,900, and
it sold for $15,000. The.ro i.s . decidd error.
Either the property that sord for $20,000 was
taxed too high, or the property that sold for
$15,000 was taxed too low. There is a difference
of fifty per cent, in the assessed valuation in
the sales of rhose two pieces of property. Then,
if you g > down to the sculler esra.es, one assessed
at $1400, sold for $1493; one taxed for $1540. sold
for $1940; another asse :sed at $1700 solo for $3080.
If any gentleman will examine such reports he
can see- how unequal our taxation das been. I
might go through the whole list the Altlerm n
has quoted f r om* and show many such inequali-
ties in our taxation. For instance, if we take still
another body tbat assesses tne valuation of
property in the citv of Boston, ft was only a
few davs ago that a jui v leported a verdict of
$40,100 against th -j city of Boston for 257 feet of
land on tne corner of Washington and Boyi~-tnn
stree «. That pto.oerty h?,s cost the city nearly $200
a foot, if you takr tbe c xpeose of tne; suit and the
other expenses that followed, into consi leratini ;
and I should wish to better cunishment for the
owners of that estate, than tor the assessors to
value it, year after year, at $156 a foot, and in thpt
way get back som"tnii g of what I call a
very unrighteous verdict. The inequalities • f
. our taxatron are so very great tnat I aou.'t
think aay advantage can be gained by
raking them up by piece-uieal, and citing
isolated cas s. For' msta ce, an estate on Paik
street, that sold for $64,000, was assessed at $94,-
000, whils the Windsor estate onBlackscone t qu i e
sold for $20,000 less tlau tne assessed valuation.
I might quote hundreds and thousands of just
such cases. Aftei all, the it creased valuation of
our real estate has b en $223,000,000 li eight y< ars.
This statement shows how our assessors have
been progressing, and I believe it ought to be iu-
49
BOAJiD OF ALDERMKN
quired Into; and if arythir.g can oe done to reme-
dy it, it ought in be done.
Aider 'iao Sioioiins— Tnerc was oae poiut that I
Intended to bring to th* attention of the Boaid.
Members will beat in a too tbac the Legislature,
at the session of 1875, passed a law entitled, "au
Act Rela uig to Municipal Indebtedness," ob.p of
ibe wisest laws ever passed, in my juognent.
Now, sir, that U# provides that no city
or town snail iocur an Indebtedness, ex-
cept for water, beyono thiee per cent.
upon the valuation • returned by the Assess-
ors. Now, sir, suppose tbn Boant of As-
sessors at the last assessment, had idaced the
valuation at 25 per cent, below what they did.
Or suppo-e at the next assessment they will
reduce it twenty-five per cent., what will be the
effect? Why, sir, it would require us at once to
add to our tax lew one or pernaps two millions ot
dollars to meet the difference between the
amount ot debt we are authorized to
issue, and the amour t we have outstand-
ing. (JeutU'inen must near in miuo that this is a
a two-edged sword. You propose ihat the a sess-
ors shall re. uce the valuation tweitv or twenty-
five oer cent., but 't will requir the assessors
to raise the amount necessary to reouce
the debt down t<> that piescribed bv the act, ia
addition to the sum appiopriated by the City
Council. If that is what the Alderman desires — a
fieavy burden of taxation — p 'rhaps be can
accomplish somethu g in that direction. It seems
to me that if the &ldermar woulj stiiue out all
arter rne word "ordered'' in the order he hg.s in-
troduced, and insert "l'tr*t the CommUtee on As-
sessors Department be requested to nominati as
candidates tor the office or assessors none but per-
sons competent to assess real and personal prop-
erty," hi wouid accomplish far more in the inter-
est of the taxpayeis than by the order he has of-
fered; for, after all, as was suggested by the
senior Aldenoao from Ward 17 f>.t our last meet-
ing, the remedy lies in electing Done but persons
com pete ot to judge of the valuation of real and
personal property. In that wav I apprehend we
might secure a more uniform valuation ihan hy
aoy otoer method.
Aldermwn O'Brie.:— I would say in relation to
the Assessors, that they bave no alternative in
this matter, if our property has been taxed too
high, tbey have no alternanve but to put it down.
They cannot come down bv piecemeal — five per
cent, this year and five per cent next. Accord-
ing to their oath, they ate hound to assess leal
estate at its fair, cash value, and that muu be tha
criterion Dy « hich tney nre to judire. If thev
have beea assessing real es ate at its fair, cash
value whim it was hv.n, they have now no alt- i-
i.ative out to come dov n, even if it prevent* the
city of Boston trotn going into any expensive en-
terpiises. If the valuation of Ibe city of Boston
is reduced to its cash valuation, we can scarcely
draw a cent from our treasury tor any of the im-
provements that may ce io contemplation for the
next two or three years. A' c this fact argue- m
favor of an investigation of this matt?x— that wi
are onven t'>keep up the taxable valuation ot our
property, tor fear that the State law passed by
the last Lc-gisiatue would intei fere wit'i imp/ove-
ments that mignt be cou.emplat' (I.
alderman Stebbins — I oon'i wish it undrstood
that I advocate a high valuation for the purpose
of retaining a large debt ; bi.t 1 made the sugges-
tion si i) jly to show chat the effect of any oaaiked
rtductioo would ue to increase the rata of tax -
tioo veiy materially. Now, Mr. Chairmao, 1 p-
prebend that this pressure to reduce the rate ot
taxation is made by individuals .vho argue the
question from rbeir standpoint. They say, "If
my propertj is valued at $5000 less, why, of course,
my taxe i would be $75 less." Now, sir, it malres
vtry little difference it you occupy a store tor
which vou pay taxes upon a $24,000 valuation, at
the rate of $12 on $1000, or whether vou pay taxes
oa a valuatior of $20,000, at the late of $15 on
$1000. They both amount io $300. The morey
has got ro be raised by the Assessors' Dcpartment-
ment. The Assessors have no control over the
amount appropriated by the City Council. If toe
valuation is reouced, the rate Will be correspond-
ingly mciea-ed, so that the taxpayer will not be
benefited. It our taxpayers de-ire to be relieved
from taxation, they should witobold their namps
from petitions constai tlv presented to us for ac-
tion. Look at the petitions represent! Dq: $80,000,-
000 tor a public paik, tow on file m th<- City
Clerk's office. Look at t'ae very large petitions
representing $200,000,000 before the Street Commis-
siorers, apkieg for costlv improvements. It the city
Council were to entertain halt of them, the rate
oftaxaior would be doubled this year. If the
taxpaveis desire a lower rate of taxation, they
should stop signing petitions, or else expect us to
refuse to grant their request.
The order wts lejecWl— 3 for, 6 agair>£t.
On motion of Alderman Buriage the Board ad-
journed.
50
COMMON COUNCIL
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
FEBRUARY 3, 1870.
Regular meeting at 7% o'clock P. M., J. Q. A.
Brack ett, President, in the chali.
PAPERS FROM THE HOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Message from the Mayor transmitting a com-
munication from the Mayor of Richmond, Va.,
indorsing a copy ot a resolution of the Council of
K m hum ni in response to an iiivitation from the
Mayor of Boston, that they would cooperate in aid
of tba \ eiinon to Congress for the erection of a
monument at Yorktowo, Va. Placed on tile.
Petitiots w-re refened in concurrence.
A communication from the Fire Commissioners
relative to the location of telegraph poles came
down referred to Joint Committteon Firs De-
partment. Concurred.
Reports nominating William H. Bradley as Su-
perii.tenat.nt of Comtton Sewers; nominating
James C. Tucker as Supe intenaent ot Public
Buildings; and nominating Thomas Hills, Benja-
Kiin dishing, Horace Stnitn, Thomas J. Bancroft
and Benjamin F. Palmer as Assessors of Taxes.
Seveially acepted in concurrence.
Reports ot leave to witndraw —
1. On the oetition ot the Arr encan Steam Safe
Company for an abatement of taxes.
2. Of Heiman D. Bradt aod atothei, that cer-
tain taxes paid by them miy be refunded.
Severally accented in concurrence.
Repoi t that i o action is n. cessary on the peti-
tion of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church
of Beach streer, lor abatement of taxes. Accept-
ed in concurrence.
Order for a joint special com nittee to consider
whether measures should be taken for the better
preservation of works of art owneu by ih^ citv in
Faneuil Hall. Pa c sed io concurrence, and Messrs.
Tattle of Ward 16, Tay or ot Waru 6 aad Clai ke of
Ward 22 were joined to said committee.
Order to transfer the car "- aDd superintendence
of Congress-street Bridge from the Committer on
Streets to tbe Committee on Bnoges. Reaa twice
and passed, in concm lence.
Older requesting the Mayor to petition the Leg-
islature for authoiity to rebuild 3id wider. Dover-
'treet and Chetsea oridge*, and to regulate the
passage of vessels through tbe draws of brida esin
Boston and its viciiiiiy. Read twi :e and passed, in
concurrence.
Ordei that the Citv Clerk procure from the cen-
sers ot 1875 the number ot voters, and also the
population in the several ward* as tow coosti ut-
eri, in compliance «irn the or^ier of the Legisla-
ture. Ordered to a second reading.
PROPOSED ABOLITION OF OFFICE OF HARBOR
MASTER.
An order came down for the Committee on the
Harbor to consider toe expediency of abolishing
the office ot Harbor Master, and transferring toe
duties ol that officer to the Police Department.
Mr. Devereux of Ward 4 — I am ratber sur-
prised that the cder should come up at this time,
and I think teat toe gentleman wtio offered it is
not really aware of the arduutis duties of a Har-
bor Master if properly performed. It is well
known that certain parts of tbe harbor should be
kept clear, and that if there is no oiie to exercise
authority the vessels will anchor promiscuously
aud ctuse a gieat flea! of difficolty and inconven-
ience to the ve-sets and steamers passing to and
fro. Therefore I think it inexpedient and highly
detrimental to the .nte'ests of the commerce of
Boston to abolish the office of Harbor Master. I
have no doubt the duties might os advantageous-
ly performed m conjunction with tbe Police De-
partment, but to abolish the office I think would
ne higbiy dangerous.
Mr. Samoson of Ward 17— Tbis is simply an or-
der ot inquiry to coosider toe expedieocy ot abol-
ishing the office, and it seems to me there can be
no barm in sending it to the Committee on the
Haibor. The facts will be brought out. the expe-
diency of transferring the office to the Police De-
partment reported upon, and we shall then have
something that we can act upon int lligently.
The duties of Harbor Master are simply those ot"
police; it might be arranged jo that they shall be
advantageously tratsferred to tbe Police Depart-
ment and performed bv s< me proper person,
either rhe present Harbor Master, or whoever may
Le elected in his pi tee. I hope the order will
pass.
Mr. Beeohing of Watd 1—1 undei stand that this
is simply an order of inquiry, arid that the duties,
of Haibor Master will not be lost iignt of. If anv
change should seem desirable, the duties would
still req'iire a Harbor Master to attend io them.
Being an order of inquiry I see no objection to it,
and hops it will pass.
Th> oider was read a seend time and passed,
io roncurrence.
SQUARE ON COMMONWEALTH AVENUE.
A report and order cane down authorizing a
transfer from the Reserved Fund, of $8000, to
corsritute a special appropriation tor grading,
cuibing and fencing the^quaieonCt mmonwei Ith
avenue, b-t»een Fairfield and Gloucester stieets.
The question was on giving the order a recond
reading.
Mr. Jaques of Ward 11— Does that ordtr lie
*ver undir the rule?
The Pre ident— It will.
Mr. Jaques— If rt wt-re not to, I should ask that
it might, simply to call attention to it. I am r ot
preoared to oppose it; but as I think it is one of
those toings that membbrs should beinfi'itned
upon, and make up their minds intelligently as to
the necessity tor it. My preseutimcression is that
it ought not to be t'one rhis year. The series of
parks on Commonwealth avecue has already beea
practically extended two squares beyond ihe
houses. I say practically, because there are
only two honses on the park as now ex-
tended. Thsre is a house on each cor-
nel of Dartmouth street, aud t.ieie are
toothers uniil you come to the corner or Exetir
street, on whioo there is a house. There is no ob-
ject in extending It tbe whole, distaroe beyond
Exeter stieet to Faufield streer Members will
bear in mind that the names of rhese streets imi
alphabetically. It seems to me that as this is
done entirely tor ornament, it can wait. Tbe ar-
gument has been maaetnatit would be advanta-
geous to employ 'aborers up in that woik during
the pressnt year, but the fact is th it svoulJ not be
done. The fecce is not yet contracted for; ic
must fi st b" mace and placed, before the ground
can be graded and sodded, an J that work cannot
be done till next summer. Ther-fore, while not
intending to oppose it strongly, I hODe that oe-
tweeu now and the nert meeting members will in-
form themselves uoon rhe suojrct.
The order v/as passed to a second reading and
wtnt over.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Older to authorize the Mayor, with tte approval
of the Committee on Claims, to era won td.9 Treas-
urer for payment of all executions and judg-
ments of court against tbe city, when certitieo as
correct by the City Solicitor. Passed in coucur-
f nee.
Order to allow fcr payment the bill of Gsorge
Curtis tor $200.63, a<amst P 5 vi.g Department;
$26.07, igamst water works; $16.61, against City
Hospital; tne bill of F. A. v^ilkins, agent, tor
$6.91, against Lamp Department; and of F. W.
Lincoln, Jr., & Co., tor $3,25, against Quarantine
Department. Passed. Sent up.
Order requesting the <Jochituate W iter Board
to execute all conditions of agreement with W.
Fisher, relative to layug water pipes thtough
Fisher avenue. Passed. Seotup.
Order to transfer $24.45 fiom the item "Salaries
for patrol an • n, etc.," in ;he appropnatron for the
Police Department, to ths item "Medical attend-
ance on sick and wounded persons." Passed in
concurrence— yeas 61, nays 0.
Order to transfer $234.67 from the item for '-Re-
ceiving tomb" in the appropriation for Mt. Hope
Cemetery, to the item for "Grain for horses."
Passed in coi cuireuce — yeas 61, nays 0.
Older that tbe joint committee on the subject
be authorized to ma*e arrangements tor the
proper celebration of trie centennial anoiversar/
of the evacuation of Boston by the British Army,
at an expense not exceeding $50C0, to be charged
to tne appropriation for Incidentals. Passed,
in concuirei ce— yeas 60 uavs 0.
Order requesting tbe Mayor to causs flags to t>9
displavsd, bells to l>e rung ad national salutes to
be fired on the 22d of February, current, in com-
memorauon ot the anniversaiy of the birth of
George Washington ; the expense to be charged to
incidentals. Passed— yeas 60, nays 0. Sent up
FEBRUARY 3
1876
51
INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS.
The annual report (City Doc. 18) of tbe Inspector
of Buildiogs was receiven. Number of permits
issued— For buildings of bnck, stone or iron, 348;
for wooden and frame buildings, 709; for repairs,
alterati >us ana additions, 1836; special permits,
11; steam ooilers, engines, ovens and furnaces, 75;
notices received of intention to put ia beating ap-
paratus, 91. The number of brick, sto it ano iroa
buildings for wbich permits to ertct bave been is-
sued during the veai is 348. One of these build-
ings was io be erected in Ware 1; 18 in Ward 2; 3
in Ward 3; 24 in vVa<o' 4; 20 in Ward 5; 9 iu Ward
6; 9 in Ward 7; 11 in Ward 8; 30 io "Ward 9; 27 in
Ward 10 ; 29 in Ward 11 ; 32 in Ward 12 , 6 in Ward
13; 33 in Ward 14; 19 in Ward 15; 33 id Ward 16;
11 io Ward 17; 14 in Ward 19; 9 in Ward 20;
2 m Ward 21; and 2 ii Waid 22. Of these,
37 were io be one story in height, 89 two sto-
ries, 109 three stories, 90 four stories, 18 five
stories, and 5 six stories. 108 wera to have
mansard roofs, 225 were to have flat
i oofs, and 15 pitch roofs. The number of unsafe
buildings reported and examined *'as 34; unsafe
wal'-, 48; unsare cornices, 2; unsafe conductor, 1;
unsafe foundations, 5; unsafe floors, 1; unsafe
piazzas, 2; unsafe pier, 1: unsafe slate, 3; unsafe
lover and <>pire, ( ; uu.safe Aiudow cap, 1 ; unsafe
heatirjg Apparatus, 8; dangerous chimneys, 386;
defective flues, 10. The whole number of exam-
ma'iorstbat have beci made during the year is
23,862, classified as follows :
Buildings in process of erection 13,825
Buildings in process of alteration 7,019
Special examinations 1,512
Fire escape 71
Ventilation 10
Water closets 6
Steam engine and boiler 128
Unsafe buildings 93
Dangerous chimneys 374
Defective flues 10
Unsafe heating appara tus 6
Fires 256
Sundry 552
Total 22,862
Tue total number of hoistwavs and e'evators
which nave baea examined and reported upon is
162. All of these hoistwavs auc elevators, in some
one or more respect*, tailed Do comply with the
provisions of the building law. Some were with-
out t> ap-dooi s. some without railit-srs, some with-
out any protection whatever, and were ca^gerous
to tbe occupants while iu use, and to meinbtj; of
the Eire Department in case of lite. The o?/Ders
uDd occupants were notified, either veib?lly or hy
letter, of tbeir coudition, and in a verv large ma-
jority of c 7 .ses cheerfully and cordially responded
to aud 'omp'ied with the usual requirements re-
lating to them. The total numoer ot hoistwe vs
and elevarois whicu have been made to conform
to tbe requirements of tae building la* is 102.
The number uncompleted or io process of comple-
tiou i« 60. The number of fxaminat'ons made
was 372.
l'no whoi j mini jer of brick buuJings complet-
ed during the year is turee hundred and tif ty-five,
at an estimated cost jf eight million thtee hun-
dred and jigot thousand seven huodrea aoilars
($8,308,700). ibe-e buildings co tain one hundred
and sixty-two stores, and aie constructed
to aiC^Tiinodate six huadr^d aud foity-one fami-
lies. Th= whole number of wood andfiame build-
ings completed during the year is seven hundred
and seventy-two (772), containing sixty-four store--,
and constructed so as to accommodate nine hun-
dred and seventy-four families (974). The esti-
mated cost of these wooden buildings is two mil-
lion two hundred and tanty-seven thousand eight
hunuied a.d twenty dolla s ($2,237,820). The num-
ber of buildings upon which alterations have been
made i« eighteen r-undred and thirty-six (1836), at
an estimated cost of one milium, four bundrea aud
ten thousand five hundred and eighteen dol-
lars ($1,410,518).
The report particularly refers to the practice in
some coutcbes with large congregations of filling
toe aisles with -eats, ot the use of combustible
draperies in church decoration, ot the in*ard
s vinging of doors of narrow stairways, of insuf-
ficient egress, and of the absence of autbonty to
enforce salutary regulations oo certain closxes of
public ouildiugs. That the absence of fhi* au-
thority may lead at some time, either remote or
near, to some public disaster, is undoubtedly true,
and while it is impossible to make absolute pro-
vision against all contingencies, itis only ordinary
prudence to taKe cognizance of apparent facts,
and to make proper prevision to ward off impend-
ing results.
The daily outside work of this d-parcment con-
sists in the constant supervision of all buildings
in process of erection or alteration, to see th*t the
same ouly conform n tbeir construction and
alteration to tne provisions of the building law;
the ^providing of ample means of escape in case
of firs, in certain specifier classes of buildings;
the iusoectim of uusate buildings, dangerous
chimneys, defective flues, uusate heating appara-
tus, hoistways aud elevators, buildings (I ,maged
by fire, the proper setting of steam boilers and
e gi kS.the building of furnaces, ovens, etc, the
supsrvisioo of places of arnu erne it wi:h refer-
ence to sufficient egress, compliance with the
requisitions of the Board of Health, prosecution
through the City Solicitor of violations of the
building law, ana also attention to special exami-
nations, at the request of oil side parties, which
are not comprised t/ithin th; regular work of tht
office. The whole number of examinations tha\
have been mad.e during the year is 23,862.
Sent ud.
MYSTIC VALLEY SEWER.
The orders reported as part of tbe uutimshed
business of Ja-t year, and recommended by the
Committee on Waier, viz., 1. An order to author-
ize the corstructiou of a sewer in toe Mystic
Valley, at an expense of $205,000; 2. An order to
provide the means for the con«tructioa of said
sewer by oorro ving the said sum and issuing
boDds therefor, — were consideied uncer tbe bead
of unfinished business.
Tne question was upou the passage of the first
order.
Mr. Train of Ward 20— It seems to me that this
is a matt.-r which all gentlemen do n«t under-
stand thoroughly. I must say, for one, that I oo
nor. It is evidently a very important mater to
some of the towns in that vicinity. I «efer par-
ticularly to the town of Medfor'd, having bad
some consultation with residents of that to<r<n.
Tbey strongly object to tne emptying of this
sewer into the pond which is just above their vil-
lage, as all the se(v*ge must naturally flow down
!he Mystic River by the town of Medford, out
into the sea. Unless the Water Committee have
some reason to gire us, some authority for saying
that by the act of tbe Legislature the city of Bos-
ton is not going to be mulcteJ in heavy damages
for building this sewer. I think we ought t<> hesi-
tate before passing this order. I bope the gentle-
men oj the committee will explaiu that matter,
tor unless they can I will not vote for it. I know
it is going to bean intolerable nuisance to the
towu of Medford and nil) meet with groat oppo-i-
tion; -nd I know that it .ill cost tin city more
than ihe $205,000 asked (or in the < rder.
Mr. Sweetser of Ward 17— ThiK order foi the
construction of the sewei was before the Council
lasoyearaod passed both branches, and late iu
the season, when tbe older came from tbe Fi-
nance Committee for tne loan, it failed from some
cause or other. It was very difficult to get a two-
thirds vote to carry any measure through, and
consequently, late in the reason, the whole matter
wasreferied to the incoming City Council. It may
not be knovsn to the new members of the Govern-
ment i hat in 1874 the City Council passed an
order requesting the Mayor to apply to the
Legislature to ai'ow the city of Bostor, in
connection with the towr« of Winchester, Wo-
burn and Medtord, to build a sewer of sufficient
capacity to take the sewage of those town«, which
now flows inro Mysiic River, ano carrv it down to
the sea. When that pe.ition was presented to the
Legislature it was opposed bv the very towns
which we had hop.-o would unite with the city in
buildin? toe sewei, and defeated. Subsequently
an act, drawn bv the A'sistaut City Solicitor, was
passed through tbe Legislature, giving the city of
Bost in authority to build a dram of sufficient
capacity to taKe off toe sewage which now flows
into that river and its tributaries, aod forbidding
any person from using rhat diain without tbe
consent of the city of Boston, and paying
such a price as the city thought best to charge.
That act was passed in 1874. It is cerUinly neces-
sary .bat something should be none to purify the
water which so large a poruon of the inhabitants
of Boston are using; a .d this seems to be the on-
ly feasible way. The objection was made last
year that if we built this sewer there would be
danger of these towns claimiog the right to enter
it, and the city of Boston could not prevent them.
I went to tne City Solicitor to ask his opinion upr
52
COMMON CO I' NOIL,
on that point, and be said tb<-re was no dangc-
what-vet <>t the . ity of /{■•ton beiog troubled m
that way, as the s-.wor would be wholly the prop-
erty of" tb.fi ity. The oiigioal estimates for
this "•ewer, made by Mr. Doane, were tor
$160,000; hut our own Citv Engineer went over
them carefully, m ide eome siijrlit alteration*, and
be estimates III t it will noc cost over 8205 000. It
seems to me to tie something absolutely necessary
as a sat Itary measure, and 1 hoi) both the orders
wdl pass.
Mi. Train— That hardly answeis my question,
sir. l'be tact tint -omcihing Bhould bedoneihere
is 8vi06nt tu all ; but is tni< the right wavtoget
at ir? It has ue, n suggested by those *1ij are
cotnpeteot to judge o^ this mactex, that this sewer
should i ot only empty imo Lower Mystic Bond,
but continue down through Med ford and Charles-
town to deep water in the sea. If that
could be brought about— no matte) if at, a Lrger
cost than this — ic seem', to me that w>uld be the
measure we ought to vote to carry out, and not
spend $1205,000 this vear, which will have to be
thrown away in the course ot another year ana a
larger sewe r built. There is i o question but that
the different to . ns will insist upon their light?.
The opinion ot Mr. Healy is not sufficient to satisfy
me, at anv rate, that the lowns butlering upon
this sewer will uoc have the right to enter n . I
thii k that where a sewer passes through « terri-
tory of diffetent towns they have the right to fil-
ter it, aiitl of course such a small sewer as this
will n >t be laiee enough I don't see any immedi-
ate necessity for passing the order, anc? move to
lay it on the table.
Mr. Adams of Ward 5— It seems to me that this
question r-ugbt to be moie thoroughly understood
by the members of this Council. This metier was
before last year's Couucil, aud was thoroughly in-
vestigated by then. It was pa-^ed, so far as the
ordei for the consttuction nt the sewer *as con-
cerned, but when the order for the loan came up
for passage there was not the lucessatv two-thirds
vote. As our fri^:d from Ward 20 intimates, there
is no doubt that this is a very essential thing to
he fton°. If it vsas essential to be done
last year, it is essential to be done
now, and just as soon as possible. Those of us
who live in the section ot the city supplied bv tbs
Mystic know very well what we have had to pass
ttnough during the past two yeais; and when any
one knows what theie is coming into the la^e, it
seems a« -.f he would "?ee the advisability of at
once taking som«- steps in this matter. There is
one place on one of these branches, where
the fi-'h 10 the brook were killeo, and t le cat-
tle belonging to the estate lefused to drink
the water finm that lake; and that water
runs right down into Mystic Lake. The
wat'--' is naturally too good to be allowed to
be damaged in this way, and ibt longer thij is
kept up, the worse we will be off. Ther are . ow
eighteen tanneries draining into Mystic Pond or
its trioutanes, and wh of Charlestown, East bos-
ton, Somerville auo Chlsea are obliged to drink
the water of the lake after these impurities have
flowed into aid mingled with it. In all the analy-
ses made of the wat&r of that pond, we find that it
stands higher than the water ot any other pond in
this vicinity, even hvber than Cochituate. In
the report or the Mystic Water Board tor the past
yeat we find that —
"In toe repoitof the Medical Commission (City
Document 102, 1874), in the comparison of rive is
as to the color, taste and geneial appearance,
samples of the water havine been taken the same
dav (Nov. 17, 1874,) from the Shawshhie , Charles,
Sudbuiy aod Mystic, the latter was found to be
second to n ither ot the others; but inasmuch as
several of its tributaries were polluted by the ref-
use ot tanneries and other manufacturing estab-
lishments, the order which put the Mvstic at the
head was i e versed, and it was placed at the bot-
tom of the list of th» four rivers referred to, as
the least desirable (so fat as coloi, taste a ad gen-
eril appearance weie conceraed). tsismg our
judgirettuo.ni the analyses and examinations
made of the water ot Mystic Lake, we ate of the
opinion that its qua'ky is good, comparatively and
actuallv; aud that ail attempts to dispaiage it
would utterly fail, were it not tor tbe existence
of the manufacturing establishments wucn drain
into some of the triuUtaiy streams of the lake.
Messr-. Kirkwoort aud Fiancis, in their report,
say, 'The passage of this objectionable water
through the large bony of the water in the upper
Mystic Poud admits of such diffirion as to render
the impurities entirely imperceptible to the senses
at the lower end of the pom), where the Charles-
f-wD works have their conduit :onaectioo ; but,
notwithstanding all this, th*- Impuiity i of a char-
acter that it is very desi able to be rid ol it.' ''■
Mi. Adams's lime having expired, he was mt r-
rupted bj the President.
Mr. Shaw of Ward 12—1 have, si", tnrougb your
kindness, beeo placed as one ot the Committee on
Watei,and I feel it my dutv, haviDg once met
with that committee, to state mv opinion upon
tbis question, because it Is a matte which has
bee l broagbt before th it committee, and be ause,
more especial I j on my own account, I had some-
thing to do with tne matter and something to say
to it last year. Aod as the question immediately
before tuis oody is whether or not — as suirge.ted
by the gentleman from the Highlands — this mat-
ter shoul i i> • longer delayed, I wish to say
that I think it is one itiat ought to he dispo-ed of.
I am entirely in favor of tnis measure and of its
Immediate adoption , aod for reasons which '-eie
fully stated before th« hnorable Legislature,
when the bill was passed, and which were fully
stated in the Council at the latter part of the ses-
sion lastyt-ar; but, as one gentleman has well
said, by reasoo ot the noc-attendaoceof tne mem-
bers, the lequisite number of votes was not re-
ceived in ordei to carry the adoption of this meas-
ure. Now, sir, it there is any ois thin^ which is
needed in this vicinity, it is drainaee; aud
if ther»* Is any one tiling specially need-
ed in that pare of the city it is drainage.
Those of us who have beeu m-mb^.rs of the
Council for the last two or three years, and have
had the pleasure of attending tbe Committee
on Water in to eir visits to the neighborhood re-
ferred to, will certainly testify to the fact that
there is an intolerable nuisance m the Mystic Val-
ley, and the question is, How shall we get rid of
it? There is an immediate nece sitv for getting
rid of it. The health, comfort and happiness of
the people of that vall^v are involved, as well as
that of the people of Boston. It is an abso>ute
necessity; an<i are we to piolong it? My most
excellent fri^i d [Mi. Tram], with whom I
would never differ, if possible, has explained
the position of the town of Medfora. He
nas relations and friends tlu-re, and he
does well to speak for his friends. Bu r . At, the
town of Medford came before th° Legislature with
all its vim and vigor, when I had tbe honor to be a
member, aud thete protested again »i themeasuie,
ano this bill was adopted and . arried through as
a species of compromise. They did well; they
were looking to their own interest, but it was a
selfish one. They were fearful of bein^ involved
in an expenditure which it aid n't become them
to make. But. sir, tbe necessities of that vaiiev
demand it; and the question is whether tbe health
and happiness of the ^nole people should be con-
sulted, rather than the convenience of rh? few in
that town. I should hope that the measure will
be adopted. I am sorry to differ from my friend,
and I hope he will not "press his motion tor aelay.
Mr. Train — the geurlemao need n't tee' delicate
in opposing me, for I wiant all to have their water
straight if toey desire it. But my point is this: Is
it worth while to raise this money unless it is
going to accomplish tbe end we have in view?
We already have a Special Committee on Drain-
age, and if it is in oider I wonld wiihdia.vthe
motion to lay on the table and meve to rrfer the
matter to that special committee.
Mr. Deversux of Ward 4— This is a matter that
interests every member from the Charestown
District as well as everv citizen of Charlestowu.
This maiter was before the Ccuncil aud thOiOugh-
ly discussed last year, and it was well undei stood
that it was an imperative necessity that some
mean: 1 should be adopted wnereby the Mystic wa-
ter snould be purified. We have had a great many
coiiolaints from tne citizen^ of Eat Boston, and
tbey desired, in conjurction with the citizens of
Charlestowu and tne Mystic Water Board, to as-
certain the means whereby tae water ould be
purified. Sev. ral consultation?- were bad
with the to - n of Wobutn and Winch°*ter, and
tnev coold come to iio bfinite uuderstanciDg in
regard to building tbe sewer. Much ot .he oppo-
sition last year was tiom tbe fact that some of the
members of the Council thought the sewer too
small, aud that in a few years a larger one would
be required ; but that was presumed to be oased
upon the fact that probably the towns of Win-
chest, r aun Woburn would desire to enter it at
some future time when they desuvd to arrange
som» system of sewerage. Certainly the citizens
of Boston desire, in a sanitary point of vi-w,thatthe
FEBRUARY 3, 1876.
53
water shall be purified , and it is estimated that some
$205,000 are necessary to carry oot the plans prepar-
ed. The gentleman from Ward 20 has mentioned the
opposition ottlie to -vnof Medford. Well,«ir, I have
sortie knowledge of the opposition of interested par-
ties in Medford toeverysteo wehave taken. Iiiave
heard of s^uie opposition as to the point where we
ent-i ibe lower pond; but I apprehend there will
he io damage or anything oi th- kind. All we
ask is that tne Ch rlestown Distiict shall receive
tbeii' water in as pure a state as possible and be
relieved from the filthy rnaltei that comes from
the tanneries ot Woburu and Winchester. We
ask it in the name of humanity ana justice 'iud
in the interest of tiealtb.
Mr. Siblev of Ward 5 — I suppose every one Pd-
mits there is a nuisance there, ar a that it should
be leniovecl. Now, this thing h-s heen befote the
Council soqi? time; it has be^n befsre various
committees, al 1 of whom have reported that some-
thing ought to be doue. I cannot c ay that any of
the Engineer's estimates are right, but that does
n't dispose of the tact that some*hing ought to be
done. I don't know tti at I have received any in-
jurv from th a Mystic water, but when you take up
a gl?.ss of it to drink, it is n't pleasant to rhi k of
the refuse from the ranneiies that £ bdvs st-en
draining into the pojd. Now, io regard to Med-
ford, 1 have many friends there, and I
have do enemies that I am aware of. Every
particle of this drainage passes by Medford now,
througt thl« verv pond ot 111 acres. !Now,ho>w is
Mecford to be so much injutPd ? TLe opposition
they raised is like that ot a little squeamish child,
and is iust about as reasooaDle. I believe it is
time for this «ork to begin. The plans have beea
ful'y matured, aud 1 hope the order will pass to-
night.
Mr. Adams— 1 -vou'd like to continue what I was
about to say when I was inteirupted. I have con-
sulted with Mr. Doane, the engineer who msde
the pians, in relation to the liability of creating a
nuisaoce id the lower pond. I don't know
a better engiJeer in the city of Boston, and he
intorms me that be den't' consider there is any
danger of a -uifeauce in that pond tor many years,
If we build the sewer as proposed it will accomo-
date those very places above the poud; whereas
if we carry it dowr. to the sea it will require a
large sum of mooey to do it, so that the interest
on the difference would more. than amount to the
sum we are now going to pay for a sewer that will
answer .01 our purposes. Accord it g to the plans
there are to be fifty open catchpits into which it is
expected the offal and earthy matter will
be deposited. Those catchpitc are to be
taken care of by the persons conducting
those tan< eries, and are to be cleared out by
them, under the direction of the Mystic Water
Board, if .ve see tit to depute this power to them ;
and they will look out for it very sharply. Many
of those places have to pump the sewage into trie
adjoining creeks, because rh« locations are so low
that they cannot drain into thein ; and there 7/ill
be no difficulty in emptying into the sewer which
is to be constructed if the money is provided. So
far as the drainage of those towns is concerned,
it wont amount to arytning for years to come.
The water will soak into the ground, aad there
will he no trouble liom that. Then the
financial status ot the Myst-c Water Works
ought to be pietcy geneialiy known to the gentle-
men ot the Council. They are not to be sneered
at, by any means. Duriug'the pr,st financial year
the receipts rrom fch.8 Mystic Water Works were
$284,897; the expenditures' were $114,869; interest,
$101,586; leaving $68,444 to bs oaid into 'he sink -
iag fund of the city, or five per cent, of tbf> debt
outstanding against those works. That is a great
deal better than ih<> CochitJate works aver di 1 or
probably ever will do, they yielding during the
past year only about ooe-teuth ot one percent,
interest on the water debt. Taken in a financi 1
poi tot view.it is for the interest of the city of
Boston to lo«>k after the puritv of this water.
Probably most of the members of the Council did
not expect we should have to dtaw from the
Mvstic Water Works 2,000,000 gallons a day, as
w\s do»e during almost the whole of last Novem-
ber. This experience shows toatitis absolutely
necessary to have something of this kind to draw
from. I suppose that almost all members of the
Council feel the importance of taking care of toe
works. If trie proposed system of sewers is car-
ried out, this one caD be made a tributary to it,
and the sewage can be disposed of in that way,
and that would save the large expense
of continuing it down to the sea. Un-
der those circumstances it seems to me
it ought to be considered a matter of great impor-
tance, not only t j the northern section of the city,
but to every section, because it is an advan-
tage to the whole city; and having the Mvstic
Water Works to rely upon in a tun- of drought, it
is something we ought all to s^e th, necessity of
doing. I would like to show some of the mewbsrs
some of the matter which runs into that water,
and wbi . h we tavr> to digest. [Exhibiting two
bottl-s.] This bottle has been lert standing since
last Tuescay, and the sediment consists ot matter
that is not fit to drink. Toat water is tak n from
the Prooks running from the tanneries. I hope
members will appreciate the importance of early
action.
Mr. Sampson ot Ward 17— While admitting al)
that is said in regard fo the better dc mage of the
Mysuc Valley, I, as one of the Finance Commit-
tee last year, investigated the mattei as well as I
could, and I felt bound to vote against the order.
When this .-ewtr was first costemplat'.d, it was
understood the towns of Woburu and Winchester
would join in tne cetition to the Legislature.
The city went 'o the Legislatuie, but the towns
withdiewana declined to have anything to do
with the buildi ■ g of the sewer. The town of Med-
ford also opposed the emptying of the sewer into
Mvstic River, and the only act the city of Boston
was ahle to obtain was the present one, per-
mitting the emptying of the sewer into Mystic
Lower Fond. The evioence that I obt ined persoa-
ally went to show that the time would soon come
when Mysuc Lower Pond would become a nui-
sance to the towns of Arlington and Medford —
how soon that would be, no engineer would ven-
ture an opinion, but it may come within five
years, and tne city will be liable foi all carnages
undei that act, So far as I rould ascertain from
interviews with the Commissioners, the actual
building of tins sewer was haidly contemplated
seriouslv, but it was expected to commence In the
hope ot forci' g the towns to join in building a
larg; sewe 1 " sufficient to drain that vallev. It
seens to me that the question has n't changed.
It seems to me that what the city ot Bostm
wants is the privilege of emptying into the river,
although at the time the eogineeis thought the
only wav ihe valley <;ould be drained was to empty
into the sea, at an expense of $2,000,000, ; ud this
is merely an entering «edge to that expense.
Now, m the reroit of the Commissioners on Sew-
erage, a uortioo of tneir plan contemplates this
sewer for the Mystic Valley, discharging at Point
Shirley. If that plan should bs cariied out, this
scheme would be entirely lost, because the sewer
is not of sufficient size and is not as large as was
at first contemplated in the act. For these rea-
sons I feel compelled to vote against the measure.
Mr. Day of Ward 3 — 1 do Lot propose to oiscuss
the necessity of this sewer, for it seems to me that
that has been fully entered into; but I am sur-
prised that any gentleman should get up at this
late hour and oppose its construction. We cave
had opposition from the to. n ot Medford sioce it
was first O'oposea to take water from ibis point.
Tbey opposed it to such an extent that influential
citizens of Boston, owning estates out there so
influenced the governor tha* he vetoed the bill
giving the city of Charle>town the privi-
lege of taking the water tiom that pond;
but the Legislature, setii g the necessity
ot supplying the citizens with water, pass-
ed the act over the governor's veto, and
we are here lonight with that same opposition
from the friends of Medford. The city ot Charles-
town secured that privilege, and gave to the city
of Boston, by- annexation, $100,000 a year from
that source ; and axe we to throw it away at the
bidding of a few men owning summer residences
in that vicinity? They say that thi^ sew^r, wnich
we, propose to empty ir to lower Mystic Pond, is
to become a nuisance. It so, how mucb more of a
nuisance will it he if the sewage is allowed to
rtmain in the water wbicu we give our citizens to
drink? It will not be considered a nuisance when
the citizens ot Boston are fully awak- to the ques-
tion ot sewerage. If we construct this sewer, it
will be mainly one little branch emptying into the
main outlet, which we will have to huild in tne
course of a dozen vears. In that time the little
matter it is now proposed to empty into lower
MysTic Pond will not be noticed; and I hope -ve
shaJl not postpone or delay this matrer any fur-
ther. The estimates for this sewer have been
made by one of the most competent engineers in
Ne v England, and I suppose they are correct.
The gentleman from the Highlands [Mr. Train]
54
COMMON COUN(JlL,
doubts t be Judgment oi tbe Cicy Solicitor, in re-
gard to the town- b&viig in. ■ i u li t to cntei that
sewer; but it s ems to me tbat the act of tne
Legislature Is very explicit in tbat respect, ".ua I
don't see bow wi can better it.
Mr. Traio I had noi'iea of piorokiog all this
•use us-icii. The only oint l laised— and I want
my friends from Chart stown to undeistano tbat
[nave no Interest la VJedfoid sad don't own a
cent oi property tbeie— and my only idea was
whether, If we spend ihis $205,000, it is all we have
got to spent). If we have got to pay damages to
parties in Medford, 01 anv one else, we ought to
know it betoie we tree our foot i.i it. I bave do
interest ii> the town of M-dford, hut I do think
this matter should be more clearly understood.
Mr. Jaques of Ward 11 — I alsj made inquiries,
list year, in regard to this subject, as did my asso-
ciate upon the Finance Committee [Mr. Simpson]
and I am sorry to sav that I came to a conclusion
different from hi-. lam in favor of this sewer,
and believe it should he built as soon as possible.
As 1 understand toe matter, the principal objec-
tions to it have cooie from the lower tonus, par-
ticularly Medford. The oeople of Msdfoul and
Arlington enrieavoi to show tbat this sewer would
cau-e so gieat a uuisane- in the lower
pond that it would inj ire them. The object
of showing that it .vill he a nuisance
seemed to be >o endeaver to force the city
of Boston, or to urge upon the Legislature to force
the city, ro continue this sewer to the sea.
Tnese towns perceiving that the time will soon
come when, under the system of dramacs they
will have to establish, it will be necesss.ry to carry
their sewage to the sea, they were very ready
to bave the citv of Bo ; tou build the sswbr, and
takiug care to have it large en ougo for tbeiu to
enter and uss, 1 see no reason for referring this
matter to the Special Committee on Sewerage,
for the reason tuat H is not connected withtnat
report, or if it is, it is so remotely connected that
it is not worthy of c 'Dsideiatioo. I do not
agree with my associate upon the Finance
Committee that if that syai m is car-
ried out — which is not likely to be— this sewer
would be useless; tor it would be a branch tbat
could be connected with that, system of sewers.
When the time comes, a id the towns of Medford
aud Arlington require that this sewet should be
large enough for thcr benefit, it is very probaDle
that the Legislature will see that they bea- then-
part of the expanse; whereas, if we undertake to
do it now, it is provable that Boston will bave to
pay tbe greater p^irt of it. 1 am informed that
the nuisance is intolt table, so fai as it relates to
water used lor driuking purposes; but the matter
is not of tbat character toat will create a nui-
sance if deoosited in ibis lower poud — that
it is not unpleasant to the smell, but still un-
pleasant to diint. For tho-e reasons, which
bave met my approval, aud fron inquiries of per-
sons who bave made a study of this subject and
are competent to judge, I have come to the con-
clusion thaiiiisf.ii the best inter si of the city
of Boston to build this sewei. It has be^n said
that the Mystic Water Works may be given up
aft u r the works on this side of the river are com-
pleted. Assuming that to be true, they mig^t he
sold to the suirou. ding towos, for it C' rtainly is
too valuable a piopertv tn be given away. Tney
will always be useful to that district and will com-
mand a better price it these arrangements are
perfected and tne watet kept pure.
Mr. Beaching of Ward 1— This is a matter in
which the seetiou of the citv where I resiceis very
much interesteo. It nas oeeu pretty tcoroughl'y
discussed, and I suppost that the Council, from
the information they alieady h .ve, are ieally pre-
pared to vote upon the question tonight. I be-
lieve it is generally admitted by those who have
examined the water of this pona that it is not
suitable for the purposes for which it is used—
that is for household and drinking purposes, etc. —
and that something must be done t' purify it. I
think tbat every gentleman here is satisfied of
the tact that "the water ought to be puri-
fied, and the ooly way in which it can
be done seem= to be by this proposed
drain. It does not seem light to compel ou> sec-
tion of the city to use impure water wbeu it can
be easily purified at au expense of $205,000; and it
does seem to me. aud I thick it must commend
itself to the judgment of every gentleman here,
that'this purification ought to be done as soon as
possible. 1 see no object in referung it to the
special committee. The necessity is admitted,
and the work ought to be done speedily. If it is
referred to that commi'tee. we don't know
how long it will take them to report,
and perbapi it will go over In another
year, and the sections that u-e that water
would b« obliged t j continue for another
yeai as they are now. It will be remernbeied
by sninc that theie were so many strong remoa-
stiances from East Boston last year, I oat the city
had to give us tin- Cocbltaate water agai . I sup-
pose tnat ma i) \ of ine citizens of East Bosto i sup-
pose thev ar using the ('ochituate now. We hear
occasional e >uinlai it* now, but in the spring the
water is much more impure than at anv other
time, and it will be discovered by the people of
East Boston tbat they aie Dot agios the ('ochitu-
ate, but th-; Mystic, and they will remonstrate. At
certain season's of the year it is very often ive in-
deed. I nope tbe or ,'er will i ot bs ref • rred, but
that we shah vote upo<i it tonight.
Mr. Crockei of Want 9—1 had not expected to
say anything upon this subject, but the reasons
which induced roe to vote against the order last
year, aud still induce me to vote azamst it now,
have not been fully uevelopeo this evening, and 1
think ti y should be sta ted. Mv theory is th-.t this
$205,000 will be waited. This sewer is to carry
a*ay the refuse of cetam factories. It is uot pro-
posed, and the -ewer will not be large eoongu, to
carry awav all the seyvage from the towns bor-
dering upon this lake. Now. the gentlemen fiom
CharlrSjtowu said tonight— or I understand that
one ol them did— that taere was nothing
about the water that was noticeable to the
ta s te or sigbt, but he did n't 'ike the ide^. of
driuking water from a pond when he knows the
filthy stuff from the factories runs into it. Tn°y
cannot taste or see it, but it is beeau-e of their
f eeliogs that they dou't like to drink it. Now, in
the first place, I suppose that this stuff which runs
into it is n't by any means so oangerons to health,
but that tbe really poi«onou« stuff is * bat comes
from the human exci eta from the immense popu-
lation around that pood; aud, if there is any teal
danger from drinking ihat water, it is because the
humau excreta from the immense population liv-
ing in those towns will get into the pond, and I
am afraid that oor Chailestowo friends, in
the course of a year or two, wil 1 make
up their minus that tney oon't want to driuk that
water until the whole sewage of those towns is
taken care of ana carried off in another uirection.
I think they have good reasou to make that objec-
tion. I don't believe that a pond lying in the
midst of that immense population isgoi. g to cou-
ttnue to be a proper source to draw drinking water
from, and I noo'c believe that our Charlastown
friends will be satisfied with it. I believe, it will
be only a few years betoje they will have
to be supplied' from tbe Cochituate, Sud-
burj or Sb wshine, arn; that after we
spend this $205,000 to divert the drainage from
those ranceiies, in a year or two it will be found
insufficient to drain those towns. The towns don't
care «here the oramage goes to. They will say,
■"If you don't like it, tike car" of it ana send it
somewnere else." i'hen we -hall be rallsd upon
to sp=nd two millions to carry it out to ibe sea.
The-3 our Charlestown friends will see that a pond
in such an immei.se population is jiot a proper
source to draw drinking water fiom, and will in-
sist upon having that source e'ven up and the
water iak j n from some other place. Althouga I
deem the subject one of great difficulty, and don't
give my conclusions with any confidence, jet
it seems to me we had better stop where we are
and consider this matter more caiefully. My im-
pression is that this will b the first treo to * ards
u cuning a large expenditure, which will not re-
suli in any good in the end, aud that we shall
finally have to get a supply from somewhere else.
Mr. Adams— In reply to ihe remaiks of tbe gen-
tlemau 311st up, in regard to the fact of our not
appreciating the impuricies of the water, and that
we canuor taste or see it, but that we will co so if
this state of things keeps on, I will say
that I brought this bag with me [snowing
it], and gentlemen cau see whether theie
is any considerable discoloration or not. This
mitter is constantly runniDg into tne tributaries
to the lake and must go out somewhere; it don't
all settle. In relation to any persons or toyvns on
the lake taking advantage of the sewer, the act
says—
"Section 10. If any town, corporation, person or
persons shall, contrary to tbe provisions of this
act, enter any drain or seyver, or conduct any
sewage or drainage mattei, or pollution of any
kind, into any drain or se v°r constructed by the
FEBRUARY 3, 1876
55
city of Boston by vhtue of this act, or into any
water couise, su earn or channel, natural or arti-
ficial, coai.ected therewith, or shall wantonly or
maliciou-ly injure or destroy, or divert or obstruct
any such drain 01 sewer, or destroy or injure aDy
machinery or pioperty held, owned or used by
tne said city by the authority ana for the pur-
poses of this act, such to *n, corporation, person
or persons shall forfeit ana pay to >-aid city of
Boston rime times the amount ot the damages
that shall he assessed therefor, to be recoveied in
auv oroper action.
"Sect 11. It shall be lawful for the Supreme
Judicial oourt, upon application of the citv of
Boston, to grant an injunction against any un-
lawful use or inteiteieiica by any one with any
sewer* or drains co»ctruc'*-d by the eitr of Bos-
ton under this ace, or agaiust the unlawful entry
of any drain or sewer, directly or indireeily, into
the same, or into any drain, sewer or water course
connected there with, or against the unlawful pol-
lution or corruption of the upper Mvstic Poud, or
its head waters, or of anv pond or stream flowing
into or connect-.d with the same; and damages
ihereror may be asc-ssed by said court, as inci-
dent to such process."
And thtn in regard to polluting upper Mystic
Pond.
"Sect. 8. NotbUg in this act shall be so con-
strued as to impair the rights heretofore grant
ed to the towns of Woburn and Wine ester for
supplying themselves with pure water; or to pro-
hibit the saving aud use of sewage ana onaiuage
matter for leitilizing purposes, or making any
local disposition of fie same, which shall not pol-
lute toe wateis of said upper Mystic Bona."
It seems to me that it is perfectly clear, and sets
aside the gentleman's objections to the drainage
from tho->e towns. If they nave a system of
sewers in those towns they will have to carry their
damage away from upper Mystic Pond.
Mr. Bobbins of Ward 2— This matter has been
under consideration for some time, and I sup-
posed it had oeen thoroughly discussed. I was
not a membet of the Council last year, bnt I fol-
lowed me subject with a great deal of interest.
This matter comes home to the citizens ot East
Boston, who can testify that there is a necessity
for something to be done. When the fi-st an-
nexation took place on the soutnern side of tne
city, the demand for water was increased, and we
in East Boston were cutoff from the Cochuuate
and had to take the Mvstic. lean only say h^-re
that it is simply villanous. Ceitainly no ont who
has :ny regard lor the health of the coin inuuity
wouKl desire to subject families to the use of such
water as that. We don't think ot using it with-
out cooking it— never. I would n't driok a glass
of that water on any account, without its having
been boiled. Now, it seems to me th : t after what
has been done and ktowo in the Citv Government
tbi= work has been delayed long eo ugh. 1 would
n't incur anv uur -cessary expense, and I go for
economy; but it seems to me that this is a sanaa-
ry nieasuie, indispensable to tho?e who aie com-
pelled to use it. As my triend from Ward 1 said,
tne people th.-re objected to using the Mystic so
strongly tha' they gave us the Cob initiate. Cer-
tainty l commiserate the conditio- of tne people
of Chartestown, Chelsea and all those districts
who die the Mystic, and in the light 1 nave on the
subject 1 hone the order will pass.
Mr. Jones of Ward 4— Perhaps thft members
from Ch rlestovvn have al.eadv been sufficiently
heard, but the gentleman fiom Ward 5 LMr. Sib-
ley] made a statement that, although he felt safe,
individually, from tne impurities ot the water, he
did object to drinking it, from rhe tact of bis
having been chere and seen them. Now, for my
own part, I have experienced a disagreeable
flavor in the water at different tines. At present,
perhaps, I think it is palatable, but theie have
beeo times when complaints were made iu mv
immediatt neighborhood that the water has been
veiy disagreeable. We hao to place a bag over
our own faucets on account of the impure water,
and sometime in the course of two or three
days it would turn completely Dlack, and be so
full of sediment that when the bag was turued up
it would run out. I think this is a matter of great
importance to all of us who depend upon that sup-
ply of water, and that something should be done
immediately. If members vere obliged to use
that watei year in and year our, thev vould see
that it is impure and not fit to be drank, and chat
in time, if it has not already, it will occasion sick-
ness and diseases. I certiinly hope the order will
be passed.
Mr. Gray of Ward 14— 1 thiuk th t every mem-
ber of the Council sympathizes with ths gentle-
men t'.om the Charles i owu District in this matter;
but it se°ms to m« that pure wateris not the ques-
tion we aie considering tonight. The point I am
unable to make up mv mind upon, although I
have paid a good deal ot attention to the debate
this evening, is whether this i< the best plan to
accomplish the nurpose desired. 1 must say that
I am unable to vote inte ligeml/ unon this matter
tonight. It is entirely n / to me. The gentle-
man on my left, from ?n? Charlestowu
Distiict, says he is surprised to meet with
opposition at thi« late day. It mav be
late to him, but to me it is an eutuely
new matter, and I have no doubt it is so to many
members ot the Council. I can't i ee any harm in
referring it to the Cotnmitiee on Sewerage foi in-
formation. Two hundred thousand dollars is a
large sum, r. quiring g yea ana nav votp, and
members ought to understand it before acting
upon it. I hope it vill be allowed to go to the
special committee and that n -s shall have a Full
report.
Mr. Adams— I hardly see the advisability of re-
ferring it to that committee. It has alreaoy been
considered by the Committee on Water; it has
bsen thoroughly discussed by toe Council, and
everybody can see thai it is a »traightfoi ward or-
der, and that it is necessarv. The only question
seems to be, how it shall be done. With the testi-
mony ot Mr. Thomas Doane, one of the most skil-
tul engineers in the citv, with that of Mr. Davis,
our City Eogiaeer, the judgment of the Commit-
tee on Water and the Mystic Water Board, and
toe evidence of those who have drank the water
for several vears, it seems ^o me that no advan-
tages can be reaped by a reference to the spectal
committee. I oou'c see how members can receive
any more information, unless they want to in-
vestigate it themselves.
Mr. Guild ot Ward 9 — This appears to be mere-
ly a -anitary question, whether or not the city of
Bosion will" appropriate $205,000 to keep a large
poctiou of her citizens in good health. Now, sir,
we cannot reckon health by dollars and cuts. I
am sorry to differ from gentlemen with whom I
tiequently act; but I certainly cannot vote with
them on tnL question. I baa the honor to ad-
dress the Council upon the same subject last year,
and tooK the same ground then that I shalftake
touight — that it is an imperative necessity to
grant the request of the large portion
of our citizens who ask for pure water. We
cannot reckon it by a money value. Suppose, sir,
that the offal which these glu° factorie, slaughter
houses aud tannenes turn into that i ond shall
create cholera or any other disease next year,
why, sir, the necessary appropriation for hospitals
and medical attendance and similar expenses
would be more than the $205,000 now asked for.
It is a mere crop in the bucket. Therefore, to use
one of tho^e classic quotatio is ?o often presented
bv 'he erudite geutieman from Ward 12 [Mr.
Sbaw],Uf 't weie done when 't were done, 't
were well 't were done q'.icklv. We talked
over this matter last vear, and it was
owing to the absence of gentleapen from the
Council that the necessary two-thiids vote could
not be ( btained to xass rhe order. I know it came
up in toe Committee on Finance, as mv collogue
said, and objection a as u<a.de that it was op-
posed by the representatives torn the country
towns. But ws all know thai the representatives
at the Stare Hmre troni the cori' try towns oesi'e
to ger as much out of the city of Boston as they
can, and to pay as little a* they can. Consequently
these proposals were met and decked m every
way No*, it «eems to me i hat the only thing to
do for the immediate reiief of those who use the
Mystic water is to bulk this sewer. When the
question ot creating a nuisance came up, it was
shown that it could not oe a strious one when the
drarnage is carried into the pond, because it would
be, in a measure, purified— if I mav make use of
the rerm— by the system ot traps wbi°,b has been
alluoed to; and, in the next place, even if a very
large amount of matter w-re carried into
the pond, it coulo not becone offensive for ten or
a dozen vears at least. At any raie,it does seem to
me that the tiealth of a very Urge portion of the
citizens of Boston depenas upon the purification of
this water; that as they pay a uandsome revenue
for vater, they have a light to ask for it pure, and
iq the strongest manner possible. As I should ex-
pect them to act in the same mannei, if the water
in the section where I live needed purification, so
I am ready to give my suppoi t to this matter, that
56
COMMON COUNCIL,
they may possess, in their section, the same ad-
vantages of health and immunity from disease
that we enjoy 10 ours.
Mr. Morrison of Ward 11— This matter was
thoroughly discussed In tii Citv Council last j ear,
and I came to the conclusion that it was desirable;
in facr, that ic had goi to be done. I voted for it
last year »nd shall oo so this year; out gentlemen
wnl recollect that la 1874, 'heo these estimates
were made. wa»es anu materials were more than
forty per cenr. higher tbao they are todav; so
that ii seems to me we might reduce the amount
and pass the oxder. By taking off tweti'y-five p>-r
cent., which is not much lower, according to the
Jifferenee in the prices now and then, it seems to
aie it voulii cost about $1(13,000. 1 therefore move
to ameuo by making the sum $175,000, instead of
$205,000.
The President— The motion to amecd is not in
ortei, the motion to commit t„king precedence.
Mr Sampson— I do not wi-n to be understood as
opposing a project to drain the Mystic valley, the
necessity and advisability of which there is no
question ; but I do oppose the expenditure for
this temporary expedient. The drainage of those
towns is not provided tor and it will empty into
Mysiic River unul a sewer is built to drain chat
valley. This only provides for the sewage from
thetanudr.es, and I shad oppose aby temporary
expeoient till we can obtain an act of th" Legisla-
ture compelling those towns to unite with the cty
ot Boston in oraining that valley.
Mr. Crocker— My colleague [Mr. Guild] repre-
sents the ; eotlemen opposirg this Older as trying
to sav- the city's money at the expense of the
heal h of|iisinnabitauts. Ishoulo b3 the last to urge
anything of that kind, and for myselt I can claim
that n'> such considerations would weigh with nee.
My point is that what v e :.re going to do todav is
not going to save the health ot the people. This
sewage that is to be removed is not dangerous. It
is the refuse of factories, not the human excreta
of that population. Now, it is the universal les-
timouy of physicians that the great danger, the
real poise, in all times of epidemic, lie.s in the
human excreta. This stuff from the factories
maybe unpleasant co look at when it first runs
imo the river; but, still, it is n't dangerous to
health. We are asked to remove the portion of
the matter that is unpleasant, but substantially
harmless, and it is proposed to let the really dan-
gerous th'ng go on. Now, it seetns to me to be
questionable for us to take that step. Some com-
prehensive scheme should be proposed to turn
away the sewage of those towns which is soaking
into that pond, tor there is whtre the poison lies.
This is but a half-wav tueasuie, and I cmoot but
fear that the money will be wasted, and we shall
again hi called upon for a system of sew<ro to
drain that entire valley, or perhaps to get
water from the Shawshtne, and even then
this proposed sewer would hot keep the pood
pure. Mv impiessiuii is that it will co-t more to
keep the pond in decent condition than it will to go
somaT/haie else— as we shall have to do at 'ast—
aod get pure water. If it is necessary I am ore-
pared to go to the greater expense to give them
what 1 admit they are entitled to— puie water.
Mr. Gragg of Ward 22 — In making up my mind
to vot» for the construction of this sewer I do not
expect it is to make a perfect system whereby
this territoty is to be drained aod the Mystic water
purified forever. I don't believe that the com-
mittees who have considered it vear afieryear
and ag eed that it is an absolutely necessary
measure, expected any such thing. It does seem
to me, however, that if the ordsi i« to pass, it
should be uassea at once, and the sewer speedily
constructed. Three years ago, when I had the
honot to oe a member of this body, this subject
was agitated by the people ot East Boston, aod
I was sorry for them. I thought the matter had
been settled in some wcy and the water im-
proved some time ago. I don't want to vote to
carelessly speed or throw away $200,000; but, even
as a temporary measure, to last three, tour or six
years, a?, tue case may be, I think it worth while
to vote for this oroer. Suppose, as stated by the
gentleman from Ward 10, that it eventually be-
comes unfit to supply Charlestown and East Bos-
ton ; is n't it worrh while to give the citizens of
those sections pure, clean and deceut water at
this small expense? 1 consider it a small ex-
pense for even a temporary measure, if it ef
fects the object desired for the time being. Even
if the water from Mvstic Lake becomes useless for
drmk'ng purposes, it can be made useful tor
supplying factories, and for fire putpojes and for
the purpose of saving water from other sources
that is used for drmking. The objection to the
ord«r seems to be that it is not going to be an ab-
solutely perfect syctetn for aU time. I don't think
that any of us exp. cts it is, and looking at it ft om
the standpoint of a temporary expedient I think
the order should pas ••.
Mr. Sweetsei— The argumen' ras been used to-
night that it will be letter for the cuy of BostoD
to go to the Legislature again and tret these
neighbor! og towns to unite with the city in build-
it g a latter sewer. Let us look at the expense of
that anu see if it would be advisable. Such a
sewer would cost $500,000, at>dit would cieate a
nuisance to drain it into Mystic Pond ; conse-
quently it would have to be carried to the sea,
which at the least estimate, would cost $1,500,000,
and the city of Boston would uave to pay five-
sixths of that exDense, or mote. Now, latner than
do that, we bad better abandon the Mystic water
altogetti-r, aud a- my tiiend from Ward
9 says, t-.ke the Shawshioe. We should not
be able to do that tor five or cix years, and the
drainage from the tanneries would .si ill be flowing
into the pond. As a matter of economy it is better
to build the small drain, and if that is not suffi-
cient, let us go in the Shawshiue forpuie water,
instead of spending a million and a half Collars to
dram those small towns.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5— Mv friend from Ward 9
seems to think the pe >ple of Charlestown are go-
ing to be the only problem in the future. Now, it
is not, only Cbarlesrown, but Somerviile, East Bos-
ton and Chel3ea who are affected. There are 100,-
000 people, bur I don't know that Charlestown has
complained more than any other section where
the Mystic h< s been used. Tcere is a nuisance
there, and this seems to be the >niy practical <»ay
otgetti?grii ot it. Men differ about whether
this is the right way, and 1 see nothing for me to
do but to oin my fdith to th° sl-ev»s of those who
know. I caie uot how small th? sum we start up-
on. I bPlieve in economy, and if there is not
money enough to complete it, they can come to
he City Council antl ask for more.
Mr. Kelley ot Ward 3— 1 think this order should
be passe i tonight. Th« gentleman states that we
in Chariestowu cannot see and taste the impuri-
ties in the water. If the gentleman had lived
there la-t spring and summe',aod taken a tum-
bler of Mystic, he could hava seen and tasted
them. I believt the sewer we propose to build
will be plenty large enough for the tow a of Med-
fortl for the next ten years to come. As
Far as thf> nuisance b> the lower oond
is concerned, If I undei stand it aright — aud I be-
lieve I oo— the tide ebes and flows there, and that
will prevent a nuisance for many years. I have
known those towns for some twenty veiars, and I
tied that they increase very little in population,
aud a sewer of twelve inches in diameter is a consid-
erably large one foi places like tho-e. My opin-
ion is it will be sufficient for what the city will re-
quire for the rext ten years.
Mr Sha« — Tbera is ooe view of this case which
1 think ought to betaken, which the gentleman
from Waid 17 [Mr. Sweetser] has staged, and that
is, the financial view. I believe it practical econ-
omy to build this sewer. I havp seen about City
Hall the report of an able commission, who pro-
pose to have two larg" sewers, one on -ither side
of the city, eignt or ten feet in diameter. Well,
sit, I consider that entirely impracticable and un-
necessary. If that plan is carried oui it
will cost the city of Boston three or four
millions of dollars, the interest on which
would pay the cost of this drain, which
will be sufficient for twenty yeais. Therefore, lit
is entirely a measure of economy. The gentle-
man from "Ward 9 speaks of this mousy being
thrown away. I cannot see it. When the absolute
necessities of the people reauire it, is the money
tbrowi away? Their health and comfort absolute-
ly require it. Their water is impute. That is
proven from all quarters. Now, how can it be pu-
rified? Experts have stated taat ii can be done
in this way, and why not try the experiment? I
believe with the gentleman from Waid 9 that we
shall intimately have to go to the Shaw-
shine to supply that patt of the city,
and it has been talked up in the Com-
mittee on Water, and in all probability, within
the next twelve months, the city of Boston will
ask the rigot of the Legislature 10 take the Sha»-
sbine at the proper time and under proper cii cum-
st'aices. It has got to come. Now, then, why not
prepate for that time, in the way ptopo^ed? 1
don't believe it necessaty to cut down the amount,
FEBRUARY 3, 1876
57
but I have no objection to it. It is n't, necessary to
spend it all, because so much is appropriated. If
the work oe judiciously done, perhaos it can
be completed at a smaller expense. I hope
tosre will be no delay. I had tbe honor to be upon
the Committee on Legislative Matters wheo this
act was pissed, and if members knew with what
difficulty the vet was passed, aud the opposition it
met from the small towns, I think they would
pass this order without very mucli questiou. It
any aoditioo to the act is needed, I have no doubt
the nouorable Legislature will graut it. It seems
to me that the act provides for the piotection of
the iuteiests of the city without mtsifering with
those of the towns, it seems to be well guarded,
and I believe it will protect the best interests of
the city an'i the people of the valley.
Oo motion of Mi. Guild the main questiou was
ordered.
The first order was passed.
Mr. Gray moved to ley toe ord->r on tne table
till tbe Lext meeting. As at present advised he
would h<;ve to vote agaiast it.
Tne motion was lost.
Mr. Morr-son moved to make the sum $175,000.
The question was taken on the larget sum first,
aud it was adopted.
The order for th? loan was passed— yeas 60,
nays 11.
Yeas— Messrs. Adams, Barr, Beeching, Blodgett,
Burgt-ss, Burke, Clarke, Davis, Day, Deveieux, D.
Doherty, J. Doherty, Felt, Firth, Flyan, Fraser,
Gragg, Guild, Hall, Ham, Jaques, Jones, Kelley,
Kiugsbury, Lappeu, May, Moriison, Mullen, New-
ton, 0'Donaell, Osborne, Parker, Pearl, B-nja-
mi i Pope, Richard Pope, Rice, Robbins, Shaw,
Shay, Sheoard, Sibley, Stone, Sweetser, A. H.
Taylor, William Tavlor,Ticknor, Tmll, Walbridge,
Webster, Willcutt^50.
Nays— Messrs. Blancbaid, Crocker, Gray, Pea-
bodv, J. H. Pierce, O. H. Pierce, Sampson, Smar-
dom, Snenceley, Sprague, i'uttle — 11.
Absent or not voting:— Messis. Curtis, Cushiug,
Fitzpatiick, Graham, Howes, Lorii>g, Morrill,
Ruffin, Train, Woodouty — 10.
Sent np.
BILLS FOR REFRESHMENTS, ETC.
Mr. Flynn of Waid 13 moved a reconsideiation
ot tbe vote of the last meeting whereby was u- defi-
nitely posti oned tin order for the President to
approve bills for expenses of committees and
memoeisofthe '"ounoil, giving; notice that if it
prevailed he would otter the following as a substi-
tute:
Ordered, That all bill* for refreshments or car-
riage hire incurred by coin mittens of the Common
Council or member?, thereof in discharge ot tbeir
official duties give the names of tbe pet sons in-
curring the same, ana after having been approved
by the committee or certified to bv tne members
woo lncuned the same, the Piesident of the Com-
mon Council is authorizec to approve the same, as
provided in the annual appiopria'ion under the
head of "Contingent Funds." and tbe Auditor of
Accounts is authorized to allow the same for pay-
mect.
The reconsideition prevailed.
Mr. Peabody of Ward 11— My ubjectiou to the
substitute is that it is hardly fair to put the Presi-
dent of the Council in that position. It makes
him a kind ol maik where he iias to oppose a
personal resistance to everybody ^ho is disposed
to abuse tbe piivilege of procuring ref eshments.
It seems to me we ought not to put th" Presii ent
in such a position. I should much pilfer to see
the bills come before th« Council, and let the
Council take the responsibility of saying whether
tbey approve them or not.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9—1 agree with the gentle-
man who has just spoken that we ougnt not to put
upon the President tbe oduioa of refusi ig to p iss
such bill-. It is a verv unpleasant task to put up-
on the President. It seems to me the oi'ls ought
to be piesented for the Council to vote upon, and
I suppose that if we oo nothing about it that will
be the practice. But it has oceunvd to me that
one great objection to this older might
be removed by an amendment, al-
though I am not inclined to tavor the
order at all. One trouble is that these bills
might be left till the end ot the year and brought
io upon the President from all quarters just as he
is about goiag out of office, and in the pressure he
might unwittingly approve some that were out of
character. I tnink tnat difficulty would be met
by the following amenoment:
"Provided, That no bill shall be approved by the
Piesident unle«s it shtll be presented to him for
approval before the end of the month next suc-
ceeding that within which the expen- es covered
by such bill were incurred. "
That wouid prevent the bills beiug left to ac-
cumulate till the end of ihe year, and though I
think it will improve the order, it aoes n't ?e-.m
to me that it would remove the objeciimi entirely.
Its em« to me that tbe Council ought ro meet
these bills manfully, and let them be presented
here to vote upou. If they aie right, we will pa*s
them, and if wioug', we don't want to shirk tbe re-
sponsibility opon the President or put^himin such
a position.
Mr. Flynn — I see no objection to the amend-
ment. 1 think it a proper one, and with it tbe
Council ought to b° satisfied to pass ths order. I
accept the amendment.
Mr. Pierce of Ward 24—1 have yet to hear any
reason why the Council should not approve these
bills, insteai of the President. If there .re any
reasoo* 1 should be glad to hear them before vot-
ing upon the order.
Mr. Flynu — I was requested to offer that substi-
tute, but I am not particular hetber it passes or
not. There ar^ leasocs why every bill should not
be presented to the Council. For instance — tbe
Committee on Salaries met here last week and re-
mained io session from 7 P. M. till midmg-ht.
Some of those gentlemen who live in the suburb*
'~ ad to ride home in c~,>riages, a* the cars had
stopped ninning; and tney do rot «anc their
names called out publicly as navmg used a car-
riag . Yet they will be obliged to. It is so with
otner committees. Members are obliged to take
carriages to ride home, in when doing the city's
business late at nignt.
Mr. Pierce of Ward 24— Tiiat seems hardly a
valid reason why the Council should not vote upon
these bills and approve ihem. I ihink there is not
a membei of this Council wbo would object in the
least t> paying such a bill as has just b- en re-
ferred to, not do I think there is one who will object
to the bill for refreshments for the Committee on
Elections. I can see no reason for rejecting a bill
that ought to be paid, nor do I believe it would be
rejected by a vote of this Council. 1 certainly
hope the order will not pa's.
Oi motion ot Mr. Gray ot Ward 15, the yea* and
nays wete ordered on the adoption of the substi-
tute.
Mr. Jaques of Ward 11— I would a-k what
will be tbe effect if thf otder proposed
is r.ot passed, but voted dowt*. If we are
to bave an oider of this kind at all, it seems to
me that toe present one, as amended, is <>s good as
we can bare, 1 sympathize witb what has been
said by my friends in regard to having- tbe*e bills
come before tne Council; but in the abserce of
sot e definite proposition as to the mode ot pre-
senting tb<=m I shall feel compelled to vote for the
oider. If any gentleman will offer a substitute
fiving' a riefinite foraa foi pre°en'ing tbe bills be-
ore the Council, I should like to consider it.
hti\ Trull of Ward 5—1 think this is merely a
qu°siion whtther or not we have a-y confidence
in the Piesi lent of the Council. For one, I am
peifectly willing to tiust the President to approve
or disapprove any bill which may be presi-nted to
him, acd therefore I shall vote for this order.
The substitute was adopted— yeas 38, nays 20.
Yeas — Messrs. Barr, Beechin^, Blanchard, Blod-
gett, Hurgess, Buike, Clarke, Davis, Devereux,
Doherty, Doherty, Flynn, Fraser, Gragg, Hall,
Jaques, Jones, Kelley, Kimrsbury, Lappen. Mor-
rison, Newton, Osborne, Pearl, Pope, Rice, Ruffin,
Shaw, Shav, Shepaid, Sibley, Sper.celev, Stone,
Taylor, licknor, Tru'i, Webster, Willcutt— 33.
Nays— Messrs. Adams, Crocker, Felt, Firth,
Gray, Guild, Ham, May, O'Donnell, Parker, Pea-
body, Pieree, Pope, Sampson, Smardoi, Sprague,
Sweetser, Teylor, Tuttle, Wallvidge— 20.
Absent or not voting— Messis. Curtis, Cuslung,
Day, Fitzpatrick, Graham, Howes, Lonng, Mulle.i,
Pierce, O. H., Robbins, Wain, Woodburv— 12. ;
The orner as attended was passed.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
By Mr. Devereuz of Ward 4— Petition of maay
merchants and others for the appointment of
Captain Frank C. Gates as Harbor Master.
Mr. Devereux moved tbat n be referred to the
Joint Special Committee to nominate a Haibor
Master.
An amendment by Mr. Taylor of Ward 6, that
it be referred to the Joint Standing Committee on
Harbor, in view of tbe order just passed for them
to consider the expediency of abolisbiDg the or-
58
COMMON COUNCIL
der, was briefly discussed and lo-t, and the origi-
nal motion prevailed. Sent up.
By Mr. Newton ot Ware 21— Petition of Lucy S.
CoDcioghaai, to be'psld for grade dam ages at 24
Rockland street. Sent pp.
NOMINATIONS.
Reports Of joint special committees to nominate
CitV officers were submitted as follows:
By Mr. Gragg of Ward 32— Foi Water Registrar,
William F. DaTlS.
liv Mr. Sibley ot Ward 5— For Superintendent of
Streets. Ctaailes Harris.
By Mi. Tope of Ward 15 -For Superintendent of
Public Lands, Robert \V. Hall.
By Mr. Barr or Warn G— For Ciiy Engineer, Jo-
seph P. Davis.
24
For City Solicitor,
15— For Clerir of Corn-
By Mr. May of Waid
John P. Healy.
By Mr. Lappen of Ward
mittees, William H. Lee.
By Mr. Sbaw of Ward 12— Foi City Surveyor,
Thou.vs W. Davis.
S everal I v accepted. Set tup.
CLAIMS.
Mi. Spragne of Ward 'J submitted a report of
leave lo withdraw from Committee on Claims, on
petitiou of Jobn McBarron tbat certain taxei paid
on estate on Orchard street bs refunded. Ac-
cepted. Sentuo.
On motion of Mr. Peabody of Ward 11, the
Council adjourned.
5<)
HOARD OF ALDERMEN,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen,
l'KBHUARY 7, 1870.
Reg alar meeting at 4 o'clock P. M., Alderman
Clark, Chairman, presiding.
1 Ml I TIVF. NOMINATIONS.
Surveyors oi Marble— William B. B&yley,
Au-,1 -tus N. Young, Richird Po a er, William H.
Cary.
s iperinteudeot of Lamps — Georze H. Alien.
Inspectors •>( Petroleum aid Coal Oil— Robett F.
Means, Nathaniel Cleaves, Natbaoiel P. Cleaves.
B irlstrar or Voters tor Three Years— Edward J.
How i, ".
Inspectors of Piovisinns— Charles B. Rice, Amos
D/iI<;b, Fantuil Hall Market; John H. Terry, at
laige.
Mea-urei of Grai a— George P. Rav.
Supeiiuteudent of Faneuil Hali— Charles B.
Rice.
Superintendent or FaneuilHall Market— Charles
B. Rio 1.
Inspector of Milk— KeDry Faxon.
Superintendent ul P.,«n brokers— William A.
McCausland.
Sjprrintendenr. of Hacks— Ru f us C. Marsh.
Superintendent of Truck-— Timothy R. Page.
Superintendent of Intelligence Offices— Henry
C. Hemmeuway.
Severally couttrmed.
PETITIONS REFERRED.
To the Committee on Health on the part of the
Board. Petitions foi 'eave to occupy stables— E.
P. Curtis, new woode , toree horses, Medford
stieet, Ward 4; As^ Mirouel', new woo. .en, one
horse, 127 Golo street; John McDonald, new
wooden, thiee borses, Dove-sr>eet alley. Ward 20.
To the Committee on Sewers. T/wd of Brook-
li. e, f jr coifeienee wicb a committee in this city
on -ubject of drainage of Muddy River.
To the Joint Committee on Assessors' Depart-
ment. Ba-oum Stoon, for appointment as first or
iecood assistant assessor of taxes, and petitiou in
aid of same.
To the Committee on Paving. Gejige F. Cian?,
fo a revised -irade of Orleans street, between De-
catur and Maverick streets.
Lucv S. Cuuimiogbatn, to be paid tor grade
damages at 24 Rockland street.
Rudolph Hoi uiquisr, to be paid for giade dam-
ages on Dorc ester avenue.
Charles Morse etal., chat Corev stieet be put in
ouler for travel.
Thomas Cun.innham etal., that Water street,
Cbarlestown, dp paved with granite blocks.
To the Committee on Police. O. P. Gilson et al„
atraiast the i ccupation of West Brookhne street
vvitb carts, venicles, manure, etc.
East Bo-ton Relief Association, for additional
facilities for supply of soup in tnat section, tae
i-etiie rsed being tbo small, ana i-cores of worthy
applican s having to go away uusupolied.
Josia'i Dunham and J. D. Doogs, to be released
from bond ot C. S. Biooo, a constable.
To the Joint Committee on Public Instruction.
Request of Scnool Comminee, that rooms be fitted
up tor kinc rgarten scb )ols.
To the Joint Committee on Claims. Felex John-
son, to be paid for labor jn the Fraucis-stieet
Schoolaou'e.
To the Joint Committee on Assessors' Depart-
ment. Barmim Stone, toi appointment as assessor
or assistant assessor.
To the Committee on Streets on the part of the
Board. David S. White etal., for abatement of
ceitaiu inteieston betterments.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Order for Committee on County Buildings to
male such renairs 01 the coup house, jail, and.
other county builoings during this municipal vear
as may be recessarv, provided such repairs, etc.,
shall riot exceed in exjense the sum of $5000 for
anv oae of such buil lings. Pa«sed.
Ordei for Committee on County Buildings to
provide from time to time sucti furniture a?, they
oeem necessary for trie sbveial county buildings
auiiugthis municipal v ear. Passed.
Report of Committee on the Assessors' Depart-
ment, with order to lefund to the teirs of T. W.
Bnow $184.08, h°ing the tax a--s--t<l in 1874 upon
tlitu pet onal property. Passed. Sent down.
WORKS OF ART FOR TRE Ct.M K.VXIAL.
Repoit with order to allow C. C. Perkins and
Others CO t'<ke Copley's portrait ot Samuel Adams
and Sargent's portrait of Peter Faoeuil from
Faneoll Hall to the Philadelphia Exposition, on
oil tain conditions, was considered under untio-
1- ben bnfineee.
Alderma 1 Thompson— I think we should be as-
suming 3 really great responsibility in passing this
oider. We Should considei that these portraits
are ot priceless v-.lue 10 the citizens ot Boston and
the 8tat9 of Massachusetts. There are other ac-
cidents which might bapp»o to th'jm besides those
uy fire or water, and we all kuow tliat no money
• uiisidtrration would compensate for the loss. 1
think th" order should not pass.
Alderman O'Brieo — I admit there is some force
in the argument anainst placing these paintiugs
in th- hai.ds of any comotditee except for just
such a puipose as is now contemplared. But the
Centennial at Philadelphia will be a great event
itt our bisror>, and th<? Committee of Mass cbu-
setts Artists are desirous that Boston should ap-
oear to the best passible advantage 00 that occa-
sion. Now we have had some li tie experience in
centennial'-, and any one who participated io ours
on the Seventeenth of June must have felt biirbly
gratified at. the iesult. Europe will s^nd to Phila-
delphia the paintmgs of soma of her best and
oldest masters; and if ihere is a work ot art in
any of our public buildioes, if ther<3 is a paiotinir
in Faneuil Hall, r*r in the City Hall, that they
Oe&ire, I should be willing to overlook the risk of
sending it thete, for the sake of the laudable ana
patriotic purpose it is intended to promote. I
hope the order will pa*s.
Alder man Thompson called for the yeas and
navs, and the oidsr was rejected— yeas 5, nays 6.
"Veas— Aldermen Bigelow, Burnham, O'Brien,
Sampson, Whiode: — 5.
Nav«— Aldermen Burr&ge, Clark, Pope, St=b-
bius, Thojjpson, Viles — 6.
PAPERS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL.
Petitions were referred in concurrence.
Reports of committees nominating the follow-
iog-naroed officers:
William F. Davis, Water Registrar.
Charles Harris, Superintendect of Streets.
Robert W. Hall, Superintendent of Public
LaudJ.
Joseph P. Davis, City Engineer.
John P. Hsaly, City Solicitor.
William H. Lee, Clerk ot Committees.
Thomas W. Davis, City Surveyor.
Severally accepted in concurrence.
Report of l°ave to withdraw on petition of John
McBarron for abatement of certain taxes on es-
tate on Orchard street. Accepted in concurrence.
Annual lVDort of the Inspector of Buildings.
(City Doc. No. 18.) Placed on file.
Order to allow for payment the bill of George
Curtis tor $200.63, against Paving D-partment;
$26.07, aeaiost Water Works; $16.61, against City
Ho-pital; tnp bill of F. A. Wilkios, agent, for
$6.91, aeaiist L<mo Deoartmeot; and of F. W.
Lincoln, Jr., & Co., for $3.2&, atraiDSi Quarantine
Departmeut. Passed io concurrence.
Order requesting the Cochitiatj. Water Board
to execute all conditions ef agreement with W.
Fisher, relative to laving water pipe; through
Fisher avtnae. Passed in concurrence.
Order lequestiDg the Mayor to carse flags to be
displayed, bells tc be rune, and natiooal salutes tj
be filed on the 22d of February, current, in com-
memoration ot the anniversary of ch3 birth of
George Washington; the expense to be charged
to Incidentals. Passed in concurrence— yeas 12,
nays 0.
MYSTIC VALLEY SEWER.
A report came do^n with orders reported as part
of the unfinished business of la=t year, and rec-
ommended to the Committee on Water, viz.—
1. An order to authorize the construction of a
sewer in the Mystic Vallev, at an expense of $205,-
000.
2. An order to provide the means for the con-
struction of said sewer by borrowing the said
sum and issuing: bonds therefor.
Alderman Thompson— 1 don't know that this
subject will require much ciscussion, for it is
well known that the city of Boston acquired a
va'uable property by the "annexation of Cbarles-
town in the Mystic Water Wotks, of which the
citizens cf Charltstown were justly proud. Hav-
FKJ5KUARY 7. 1H76.
(JO
ing beea ouilt during the war, when thev were
tailed ui)on t) furnish large quota- of men for the
army, a* it is weil teouu thac the polls of
Charlestown were larger than those of a_ v other
place in th Comm mwealtb iQ propoition to irs
inhabitants, all fh>s required courage and enter-
prise, anil she was fully up tj the occasion. The
Mystic Wa cr Woiks aie now capable ot furnish-
ing, vvirh the pieset.t pumping facilities, some
fourteen millions of gallons of wat.r daily, al-
t.h 'Ugh che ordinary deaa.aac' is but from mae to
eleven millions, answering the calls of a pooula-
ti'>n of some one hundr. d thousand souls. The
quality of the water naturally is u qual, i( uot
superior, to tuat cf any suppy within the limns
of the State; but unfor nnately tor us this supply
is located in this miast of an enterprising anil v -
dustrious population, waeie it is necessary, in
draining then manufacturing establishments, to
use the tributaries to Mys.tc Lake. These estab-
lishments have grown laigely since the works
were com .lPte >, and it has been fouao necessary,
id orler 10 protect the quality of tr>e » iter, to
proviae some means by which 'his pollution can
be kf pt out of {the lake, although I have no doubt
the law is ample nov, u it conid be enfoiceo.
The quality of the water the past, vear has been
excel'ent, folly up to th t of t'.e Cochituate, with
the exoectioD of a short tint'- in the spring ot the
year, which is natural tfi any |ono w:\t-r. But
the fact of so much foul and impuis matter com-
ing i^to the lake render? it a peiiamty thatit is
only a question of time when this v unable source
of suopiy vill become worthless for domestic
uses, unless the evi' can be corrected, and the
proposed olan has beei deemed the best und°r all
the circumstances. Now the point is simply this:
the ci iv of ho ton owns th s valuable property,
and it is b r duty to do all and everything she
can to protect a d preserve its value. I say val-
uable, 101 it should" be rememberer! tbat these
« orks are self-snstainini, and if they continue as
tbey are doiug now, in ten yeais or thereabouts,
the debt will be entite'y pair and then, if th ■ city
choosts to seli the works to the pla es now using
the My -tic water, he tau do so, and turn the
Cochituate supply into the Chaiiestown District.
Mr. Chairman, I' Snow this is a Yvise and proper
order to pass, and the measure is decidedly the
most economical one possible. A larger sewv-r
mav oe required by the towns of Winchester and
Woburn at some foture " day, but tnis plan
will affotd immediate relief to the works.
The order app>opriat s $205,000, but I hardlvthink
so much will be required ; still it is safe to adopt
tlV largest estimate, and particularly so when it
is io be disbur-ed by that almost permanent or-
ganization, the Mystic Water Board, <~ln"chis to-
day composed ot the same members that it was
when tht works 'jecame the property of the city
of Boston. Ana It me here say, Mr. Chairman,
iu xeference to that board, that in my judgment,
with one exception, it is a most excellent board,
thev haviug been in office together long enough
t» know • acb other, which experience has taught
me is ot much value; and, Mr. Chairman, the fact
that vou have allowed them to continue on is ev-
idence to them that you appreciate their endeav-
ors to serve t.hp city faithfully acd Yvell. Ana
now, Mr. Chairman, I will not occupy more time,
but if it is necessary to go further into the details
ot these works, I am ready to do so. This order
has the approval ot the City Engineer, the Com-
wiittee on Watei, and the unanimous voice of
the Vly tic Water Board, and lastly crystalliz d by
the action o± the lower tsrauch of the City Council.
Alderman tfurrage— Be.ore votirg upo . this
question, I would like to have some information,
if the legislative committee cau give it, in regard
to roe action taken, or tbn position assumed by
the towns located in the Mystic Valley. What do
they pioposp to do about sewerage? aid what
position did they take when this act was before
the Legislature? I see that the towns of Med-
ford, Woburn, Maiden and Winchester have alto-
gether a papulation of 31,000 people.
Alderman stebbins— When this matter was De-
fore the Legislature, it was expected thac the
towns referred to by the Alderman would join
with the city of Boston in securing the passage of
an act providing noi only for the sewage from
the manufacturing establishments, but for the
sewage of those towns also. Io fact, two of the
towns did sign the petition with his Honor the
Mayor for that Duipose; but whet the matter was
•onsidered by the committer of the Legislature,
much to our surprise these towns all appeared and
objected to a bill under which they should be
asse-seo' for any oart of the expen-e of these
works. These objection- wets so serious a« to
greaily e danger the passage of any bill, and the
committee of the City Council having tee matter
in coarge were obliged to substitute another bi'l
— the same under which these orders are now be-
fore tne Board, which simply provides th.t the
eity ot Bo=ton should build a sewer either with or
without tbe coop- ration o' these towns. Effoits
were inane t > induce the towns of Winchester and
Woburn— more esoeciallv interested than any of
the othei towns named — tojoin with che city in
the construction cf the sewer; but so far they
have refused ail negotiations, evidently excecti ig
that the sewer would bo built ot sufficient size to
allow tnetu to avail ot tbe use of it *vhen com-
pleted, for the purpose of draiiing tbos? towns
Tne estimates of the engineer do not provide for a
se ">er of sufficient size for that puroose; ihey oolv
provide fo' a sewer to take from Mystic Lake the
obnoxious or i ttsr which runs from the various
manufacturing establishments. Of course it is
greatly to be regretted that th towns should have
taken the position theyoid. Both Winchester and
Woburn have lately introduced a system of water
works, and, sooner or later, must provide adequate
sewe age; but ac preseut they teel poor, and do
not w*ih to burden tbsir citizens witu a debt bv
joining the city of Boston in constructing this
sewer! rhe building of sawers by tnose towns is
only a question ol time, bo-vever; but I believe
that no cou t or leg>slatuie will a'lo-v them to
build a sewer whose conteats are to be discharged
mto the tributaries of Mystic Lake. It in a v be
several years before a •>- such action; meantime
tney will allow their waste wat-r to percolate
through ihe foil, and at last find its way
into Mystic Lake. Perhaps io » few years the city
of Boston, j oio ed bv the city of Cambridge, may
have to taue tne SLaw : bine River for a supply of
water, it has been examined and reported upon
to previous City Governments, and no one has
questioned the* : urity of the water. I think the
commission appointed to investigate the different
sources of supply pronounced mat one or the
purept stream- - in" che State, and us facilities for
storage purposes are not excelled in th. j State.
On the wnoJe, I think it would b* wise
economy to build this sewer and remove the ob-
jectiouab'e matt r from the lake, even if the woik
was all thrown away ten years from this time. I
h-tve urged upon the Commiitee on Water the
importance of authorizing the Ma>or to pention
the Legislature at once tor the right to take the
Shaw>hine River. Or course the ci*y would not
be obliged to spend anytbiug io couuectioa with
that liver foi a. great many years; but I think the
city of Boston should exercise a wist forethought,
and, with the city of CamDridge and the other
cities and largo to a ns on the other .^iue of Cha i its
River, secuie that river, for eventually it must he
needed. The city of Cambridge bss been onliged
to go 'art. >er to augment Iheir supply, and it is
only a question ot time v-bei then supply vid be
exhausted and they be obliged to join with Bos-
ton in securing a still largei source, Abich must
be rhe Siiawsuine River.
Aldeiman Bunage— Doi the natutal draiuage
of the town of Woburn flow into Mystic Lake?
nd if not, Yvhere ''oes it so?
Alderman Sttbbras— Unfortunately, the drain-
age of Woburn, Winchester ana a portion of
Stonekaoa is naturally into Mystic Pond.
Alderman Biirrage— What is going to prevent
the pollution of the lake?
Aldeiman Stebbins— There is no systen of pipes
connected directly with the lake, Tvith pi-rhaps
one exception, ano I understand it is proposed by
the Engineer to connect that se\vei with the one
to be constructs by the city ot Boston, as it now
emptie- into tbe lake, and as thev now have that
right thev will claim it hereafter. In the town of
Winchesrer there are no pipes whatever; tne
water is allowed to p^-ss off into trie streams, and
into the soil near th: nous-s.
Alderman But rage— Then would this sewer ef-
fectually answer thf purposes for which it is in-
tended? In a town of 9500 inhabitants there must
be a grea' deal of drainage, particularly it they
introduce water, whether they have sewers or not.
It seems to me that some furtuer legislation ought
to be had to prevent the pollution of the lake, it
we are going to the expense of building this sew-
er, [presume it has all oeen carefully looked
into, however.
Alderman Stebbins— There is already sufficient
legislation to pievent that, if they undertake to
build a system of sewers to discharge iDto the
<>1
BOARD < ) F
A JL, L) K It M E \
lake. ( )i coin- , h either of tbe to <n% should un-
dertake that) li will in- necesa rj foi tbe City
Government co take Jteps to have an injunction
Ben 'i n i » hi 1 1 cm. 1 1 i* tbe purpose of tula sewer
to lemove toe objectionable matter from the tan-
■eriee cd other manufacturing establishments
in \\ '(i'inr.1 and \\ locbester, and l ilnnk it will
effectually ans erthat puipose forten ye r9. To
build a i rrgersewi i will requ re an outlay ol per-
haps hall a million dollars: and If some future
Citj Government should ask to continue ibis
se er to deep watei , it will involve tbe still fur-
ther expense of a million dollars; bo that, rather
than oulld a large sewer, at an expe seol .. mil-
lion "i a million and a ball of dollars, it would be
better to abannon the lake enti ely, :ecu e tbe
right tn lake the Sbawshine and connect it diiect-
iv u ith i "c Mystic pumoioe works, to keep up tbe
supply ol i Rose dependi g upon i nat source, ("be
Mys. ic Water Board are fully ahv to the ques-
tion, and see the lecessity of set tiring the ■ Lght to
take tbe Sbawrhi ej in tact, the pre ,-i at of that
boaro was before tbe Committee on Yater a few
day- ago, a d said he deemed it ol tbe utmost im-
portanc to securs the right to take the Shaw-
shine when the city of Boston desires it. The
Shaw? Dine will furnisb an almost unlimited supply
of the purest wi ter in the state.
Alderman Whidden— Is there nor sufficient
power in the grant of the Mystic works to the
city ot Cbailestown oy tbe Legislature to contiol
tbe sewage that might bave been emptied into
Mystic Lake? or whether, if that is not the case,
a petition should not be sent to the Legislai ire
asking that compulsory power b- Riven to protect
the waters from foulness from that source? It is
a new SUbj er to me, and I should like more in-
form ,tion than I have at pres nt.
Alderman Stebbins— Perhaps I am not so famil-
iar with the past history of tbe Mystic Water
Works as the Alderman* from the Cnarlestown
District, wh) has already spoken; but if my in-
formation is coriect, >t is to this effect: About
rive years since, the cHv of Cbarlestowu brought
an action in the court against one of these large
manufacturing estaolishments for emptying pol-
luting matter into the lake, but fiom some in-
formality, or some other cause, the case wa? de-
cided adversely ro the city, although the oom-
ion of ail the best leeal minds to whom this mat-
ter has been referred is that there is sufficient
law to ;ay to pi event aoy contamination
of the worKS in the future. It is, however,
a question whether the manufacturing establi&h-
m nts, which Bnjoyed tbe tight to drain into the
lake or its tributaries, when the works were estab-
lished, canuot continue to exercise that right;
and it is from the belief that they have such
rights that this sewer is to be construct-
ed. There is no other way but tor tbe city
of Boston to prov'da for the diainage of
factories in operation at the time the works
were construct <1 ; but none of tin factories
constructed since then have the right to drain in-
to the lake, '.'he rights enjoyed prior to the tak-
ing of the pond for a dome ■tic water supply must
bt provided tor by tbe city of Boston. I am not
positive that I am correct in my view of the law:
but if not. the Alderman from Cbailestown will
correct me, as he is more familiar, perhaps, with
the subject to which 1 hue ref< vied.
Alderman fbompsuu — The chairman of the Wa-
ter Committee has goue over the ground carefully
and correctly; but 1 desire to say or- word in re-
ply to the alderman on my left [Aluerm n Whid-
den]. it is true that three vears ago tbe city of
Cbarlestown brought an action against v^xander
Bolles, who, I believe, carried on the largest tan-
ning establishment on tbe line of the Mystic
works. It was proven clearly that a large amount of
filthy and impure matter was emptied into one of
to- tributaries ot the lak\ but Judg Gr»y ruled
that the city must prove thet the waters were
rendered impure when they erne to the city of
Charlestown. Now, that establishment is located
three or four mile« from the conduit, and con- e-
queutly tho water purities itself as it flows that
distance. But the fact is, that these factories are
increasing in size every year, and consequently
the impurities that flow into the stream also in-
crease in the same proportion ; antl it is a question
bow long it will be oefore tb« Water
will be tendered impure when it comes
to the conduit. One, fact comes to my
notice at this moment. After the great fire
in Boston, one wool-washing establishment
moved out upon the line of the stream. Jn the
washing of wool, dye stuffs antl acids are used
to a certain extent; and it was deemed proper by
tbe Mv-tie Watei Board to notify thee*! parties
that they nui-i tfiscontuue and move away,
they were rendering the water imptue. Aftei the
decision of Judge Gray, in order to successfully
snppori i'ii- c large, ihej had tbe watei analyzed,
mill i, was found thai u as » rvi ore Indeed, ex-
cept as it camt directly from the null race; but
some 200 feet fr im the factory i u i ■ quite c.8 pure
as tu o miles distant. Thai is the gr at difficulty
we have ill t. \lli_' to Colo ee tin- I... The oil*.
now propoa d is the cheapest and beat one under
tbe circumstances. The engineer's estimate for
building this sewer m connection wvfb the
of Winch estei and V >inn i was den u would
cost some million and i half do'lare to convex the
impurities to deep water, as the t >«n or Me Iford
objected to h-vi e it empu into the lower
pond, and flow by tnat town to the river.
Thai was the plan first proposed, and the
towns ot Winchester aid Wobnru were
very anxious to carry it out; but when they went
to the Leg; lature they opposed it They were
Willi ig and aimous to have the City Of Boston
bniUl a . e. »er large enough to accommodate them,
and they pronosed to pay tor it when they should
choose to u-e it , but that is rather an indefinite
thing for the Mystic Water Board to consider at
tins time. Tb > expense <>t this sewer will be
much less than tb- $205,000 mentioned io the or-
dei. Geotlcmen should consider that this is an
immediate relief to the Mystic Water Works, and
it wnl save tbe interest we -hould have to pay on
the expense of the larger sewer.
Alderman Whidden— Nothing will give me moie
pleasure than to vote for this order, for I neiieve
in plenty of water, as much as any one; but I am
not sufficiently satisfied with the explanations
given fo al'ow me to vote for it. 1 do not under-
stand it sufficiently and I want further lignt upon
it. I don't kno\f but it is all right, but it
looks very much to me like forcing the city
of Boston to build a system of sewerage to
drain those towns, because somebody objects
to using the Mystic water. I should like to vote
for it, and I believe, f lorn the descriptions 1 have
heard, that something ot that kind is necessary—
I know so; but I want further knowledge in re-
gard to it, antl I don't know any better way to
obcaiu it than to lav the subject on the table* till
the next meeti g.
Alderman Stebbins — This is the third year that
this matter has been befnre tue Citv Council.
Each time it has taken a whole year to educate
the members up to th^ passage ef tin order, and
then for some reason it has been referred to tbe
next City Council. I f car now that if the matter
is laid over, tne result will be the same— it will
go along, and nothing be accomplished. It any-
thing "s to be (lone toward the construction of
this sewer this year, the orders snould he oassed
at an early day ' so tnat the engineer may pre-
pare the plans and be r^ady for the* com-
mencement of vork in the spring. It is no
small labor o otepaie plans foi thi, work.
The ground h;i< to be carefully surveyed,
the line located, and if lands are to be
tatieu descriptions of them aie to be tiled — it is all
the »oik of some three or foiu months at least;
and if a iv delay occurs r he whole tiling will go
over another year. I am sure that if the Alder-
man would pay a visit to the Mystic Water Works,
and go muni these various manufacturing estab-
lishments, he would come back filling a 3d anx-
ious to vote fo." it. If 'bar is the object of post-
ponement. I will see tnat . irangements leinade
for him to go and see the *orks, so that we may
vote una limously. With that understanding I
am willing that it shoul I lie over one wee*.
Aldeiinan Thomp-on — Cenfleineu may ba under
the liinressio'i that the building of this sewer
will i .crease the. city debt; but it should b bor >e
in mind that these works are self- sustaining, .ml
certainly it i> for the iutetest of the city to ke p
them so. This matter ba« been carefully consid-
ered by toe Commissioners "ho originally built
the works. The Chairman, Mr. Lawrence, re-
mained President of the board till two years since,
and he is clcailyof the opinio o that it is the
wisest and best thing to b j done. Tb o we have
the indorsement of the City Tugiiiec . Mr Davis,
who has spent a great deal of time in looking over
the woiks; and I may say, in addition, that the
Mystic W ter Boaxl." who have b en together for
three years, are supposed to know something
about what is required. I don't know but that if
any gentleman desires to visit the works he sbou'd
have the opportunity: but, at the same time, it is
FEBRUARY 7, 1876.
62
of grei-vt importance tbat this matter, having been
laid over from year to year, should be acted upon
as soon a^ possible. Fo/tunatelv tor tfi-a works,
business on the Hoe has bean dull, Hnd tuat is the
reason the water is so good. It ir, a matter of a
great deal of importance.
Alderman VVhidatn— It is fiom no opposition to
the measure that 1 propose delay ; but it is for the
purpose of satisfying myself, that I may know
what I am voting for when I vote, to spend this
amount of money. As to augmenting the debt, I
should nope the expense will be paict from the
taxation of this year, i simply want mfoimatiou,
aod if that can be obtained during the week I
sha'l vote foi toe order with pleasure.
On motion of Aloerman Whidden, the subject
w ,s laid on the table.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS.
Auditor of Accounts.
appropriations, Feb. 1—
Appropriations,
Revenues, etc.
General. . . . $13,*60,876.20
Special 5,038,789.33
Monthly exhibit of the
Expended.
$10,050,025.56
2,297,896.53
Unexpended.
$3,810,850.64
2,740,892.80
$18,899,665.53 $12,347,922.09 $6,551,743.44
Quarterly reports were received as follows:
City Clerk. Received for recorcing mortgages,
issuing licenses, etc., $1134.80. Sent clown.
Superintendent of Markets. Receipts $26,792.15.
Placed on file.
Superintendent of North Scales. Total receipts,
$537; p^cid to City Collector $214.85, less expenses,
$43.31. Seiudowr.
City Registrar. Births in Boston during 1875,
11,013, an inci ease of 704 from that of 1874; certifi-
cates of marriage issued, 3998, a decrease of 693.
Deaths in 1875, 8954, ao increase of 1142 compared
with 1874. Recei red during the last quarter for
marriage certificates, $509. Sent down.
Overseers of Poor. Receipts during quarter,
$39,467.42; payments $32,066.93. Sent down.
NUMBER OF VOTERS IN THE NEW WARDS.
The following was received and sent down :
In compliance with the directions of the City
Council, the undersigned has obtained from the
ceusors of 1875 the following statem nt ol the lo-
cation of the legal voters of this city in the new
wards according to the enumsiation of said vot-
ers taken by thein on May 1, 1875.
S. F. McClevry, City Clerk.
Table exhibiting the distribution into tue new
wards of Boston of The legal voters enumerated
by the censor.', May 1, 1875:
Ward. Voters. Ward. Voters.
1 2,719 13 2,888
2 2,645 14 3.126
3 2,652 15 2,615
4 2,612 16 2,958
5 2,660 17 3,077
6 2,860 is 3,000
7 2.799 1 19 3,221
8.
9.
111.
11.
12.
.2,908 20 2,913
.2,910 21 2,878
.2.950 22..- 3,016
.2,936 23 2,639
.2,961 1 24 2,872
Total 68,815
PORTLAND STREET WIDENING.
A communication was received from the Street
Commissioners transmitting for the concurrence
of the City Council a r-solve ano order ror the
widening ot Portland s<reer by taking 1226 feet of
land of Wary H. Bailey, at an adjudged expense
ot $17,582. Rereired to Joint Committee on
Strsets. Sent down.
FANEUIL HALL.
Alderman Pipe submitted a report from the
Committer on Faneuil Hall, iecomuiencing the
viaoting of the use of sai" nail to D. Banks Mc-
Kenzie for one week for temperance meetings.
Accepted.
THE SALARY BILL.
Alderman Sanpson submitted the report of the
Committee on Salaire" (City Doc. 22) with orders
establisning rne salanes of citv officers for one
year tiom May 1 next. Th« following table shows
the reduction umle:
Mayor's Clerk
City Clerk
Allowance for Clerk
hire
Assistant Clerk of Com-
nacn Council
AssistantL'lerk of Com-
mittees
Present
Salary.
$1,8110.01.
5,000.00
11,600.00
1,20*.C0
1 ,500.00
Proposed
Nalaiv.
$1,600.0(1
4,500.0(1
10,870.0(1
1,100.00
1,350.00
Reduc-
tion,
$200.00
500.00
730.00
KiO.Oli
150.00
D rese»t
Salary.
Preposed
Salary.
Reduc-
tion.
800.00
700.00
100.00
600.00
6,000.00
6,000,00
3,600.00
6,000.00
500.00
5.400.80
5,400.00
3,300.00
5,400.00
100.»0
600.00
600.00
300.00
OflO.tO
3,500.00
3,200.00
300.00
3,000.00
2,750.00
250.00
2,500.00
3,000.00
1,800.00
2,300.00
2,70 .00
1,600.00
200.00
300.00
2C0.»0
4,000.00
3,600.00
400.00
1 ,600.00
1,440.00
160.0(1
First Assistant Messen-
ger
Second Assistant Mes-
senger
Treasurer
Auditor
City Surveyor
City Solicitor
First Assistant City
Solicitor
Secor d Assistant solic-
itor
Fourth Assistant City
Solicitor
Water Registrar
Harbor Master
Sealers of Weights and
Measures, two at
$2000 each, proposed
rate $1800
Two Assistant Sealers,
present rate $800,pro-
posed rate $720
Board of Street Com-
missioners, three
members at $3500
each 10.500.00
Proposed rate $3150
each 9,450
Clerk of Board of
Street Commission-
ers 2,000.00 1,800.00
Inspector of Buildiugs 3,000.00 2,700 00
Clerk of Department
for the Survey and
Inspection of Build-
ings 2,000.00 1,800.00
Assistant Inspectors of
Buildings, 7 at $1,500
each 10,500.00
Proposed rate, $1,350
each 9,450.00
Board of Fire Commis-
sioners. 3 members, at
$4,000 each 12,000.00
Proposed rates, $3,600
each 10,800.00
Inspector of Provi-
ionss 2,000.00 1,800.00
Board of Health, 3
members, at $4,000
each 12,000.00
Proposed rate, $3,600
each (0,800.00
Supt. of Health 3,300.00 3.000.00
Citv Physician 3,000.00 2,700.00
Port Physician ... 1,000.00 800.00
City Registrar 3,000.00 2,6'j0.00
License Commission-
ers, 3 m- mbers a*
$3,500 each 10,500.00
Proposed rate, $2,500
each 7,500.00
Supc. of Public Library 3,600.00 3,250.011
Superintendent of Com-
mon Sewers 3,300.00 3,000.00
Sup rintendent of
Streets 3,800.00 3,500.00
Superintendent of Pub-
lic Buildings 3,600.00 3,250.00
City Architect 3,000.00 2,750.00
Superintendent of Pub-
lic Lands 1,800.00 1,600.00
Superintendent of
Printing 2,500.00 2,250.00
Superintendent of Fan-
euil Hall Market 2,500.00 2,250.00
Deputy Superintendent
of Faneuil Hall Mar-
ket 1,500.00 1,350.00
Superintendent of
Lamps 3,300.00 3.000.00
Superintendent of Mt.
Washiugtou-av e n u e
Bridge 2,000.00 1,800.00
Superintendent of Fed-
eral-street Bridge 3,000.00 2,700.00
Superintendent of
Broadway Bridge.... 3,200.00 3,000.00
Superintendent of Do-
ver-street Bridge 1,400.00 1,260.00
Superintendent of Me-
ridian-street Bridge. . 1,000.00 900.00
Superintendent of
Chelsea-street Bridge 300.00 270.00
Superintendent of Ne-
ponset Bridge 300.00 270.00
Superintendent of
Granite Bridge 250.00 225,00
Superintendent of
Charles River Bridge 1,500.00 1,350.(10
Superintendent ot War-
ren Bridge 1,500.00 1,350.1)0
Superintendent of Cot-
Mge-farm Bridge 300.00 270.0(1
Superintend 't of Cam-
bridge Bridge, West-
ern-avenue Bridge to
Cambridge , and .North
Harvard-st. Bridge... 700.00 630.00
I. H50.00
200.00
300.00
200.00
1,050.00
1,200.00
200.00
1,200.00
300.00
300.00
200.00
400.00
3,000.00
350.00
300.00
300.00
350.00
250.00
200.00
250.00
250.00
150.00
300.00
200.00
300.0(1
200.00
140.00
1 00.no
3V.0II
30.00
25.0*
150.00
150.00
30.00
70.00
<;:;
BOARD OF ALDEII.MI.N
Present Proposed Reduc*
galaxy. Salary, Hon,
Superintend'! "i Chel-
sea-streel Brld ;e,
per month 1,020.00
Proposed rate, B76 pei
month, 12 month*.... 912.00 108.00
Assis't Superintendent
ci Chelsea Bridge, $70
pei month n4ii.hu
Proposed rate, (63 per
month 756.00 84.00
Superintend'! of Mal-
di d Bridge 1,(00.00 800.00 umi.hii
Superlntend't of icast
Boston Perries 2,500.00 2,250.00 250.00
Superintend'! "i the
Lunatic Hospital 2,500.00 2,250.00 250.00
M;i iter oi iii'- House ol
Correction 2,000.00 1,800.00 200.00
Superintendent of the
City Hospital 2.500.00 2,250.00 250.00
Superintendent oi
Common and public
grounds 2,500.00 2,250.00 250.00
Superlntend't of hacks
and carriages, $-1 per
day,3t>5days 1,460.00
Proposed rate, $3.60
per day 1,314.00 146.00
Supei Intend'! of trucks
and wagons, $4 per
day, 365 days l.tso.oii
Proposed rati\ $3.60
per <'ay 1,314.00 140.00
Superintend'! of pawn-
brokers. 365 days, $4. . 1,460.00
Proposed rate. $3.60
per day 1,314.00 146.00
Assistant superintend-
ent of trucks and wag-
ons, $3.50 per day, 365
da\s 1,277.50
Proposed rate. $3.20
per day 1,168.00 109.50
Assistant superintend-
ent of pawnbrokers,
$3,511 per day, 365 (lavs. 1,277.5(1
Proposed rate, $3.20
per day 1,168.00 109.50
Superintendent of in-
telligence offices, $4
per day, 365 days 1,460.00
Proposed rate, $3.60
per day.. .... 1,314.00 146.00
Chief of nolice 3,500.00 3,150.00 350.00
15 captains of police, at
$4 per day. 365 days.. 21,000.00
Proposed" rate, $3.75
perday 20,531.25 1,368.75
40 lieutenants ot police,
at $3.50 per day, 365
days 51,100.00
Proposed rate, $3.25
perday 47,450.00 3,650.00
45 sergeants of police, at
$3.25 per day, 365 days. 53,381 .25
Proposed raie, $3 per
dav 40,275.00 4,106.25
591 patrolmen, at $3
per day, 365 days 647,145.00
Proposed rate, $2.75
perday 593,216.25 52,928.75
Chairman of Board of
Assessors 3,500.00 3,'50.0fl 350.00
4 Assessors $3000 each. 12,000.00
Proposed rate, $52700
each 10,800.00 1,200.00
33 First Assistant As-
sessors, at $7 perday,
50 days in 1875 11.S50.00
Proposed rate $6 per
day .estimated num-
ber of days in 1876,
50 9,000 00 1,650.00
Amount paid 33 First
Assistant Assessors
for attending sessions
of theboard,$400each, 1.1,200.00
Proposed rate, $360
each 11,880.00 1,320.00
33 Second Assistant
Assessors, at $6 per
day, 50 days in 1875.. . 9,900.00
Proposed rate, $5 per
day .estimated num-
ber of days in 1876,
50 8,250.00 1,650.00
Amount paid 33 Second
Assistant Assessors
for attending sessions
of trie board .$350 each, 11,550.00
Proposed rate, $320
each 10,560.00 990.00
Total amount of re-
duction $92,373.75
In compliance with the order ot the City Coun-
cil instrui ting the Co.uinittee on Salaries to make
such recommendations concerning the salaries
established t>y ibe several committees and boards
of tbe City Govemmeni as said committee maj
tbii'k proper, your committee have csr tuiu eon-
Bideredtbe subject, and are of the opinion that
inn- 1 of the salaries paid bj tbe eitv mi^iit be re-
duc d at least ten per cent, nncnou; injustice n>
'lie employer. The prices paid, especially those
toi i lerical sei rices, appeal to !.<■ largelj in exci ss
of those paid by oilier corporations, and. your
committee recommend that all committee
boards give the Bubiect their earnest attention,
when makiog up the estimates for the coming
financial yeai,
Wiih a view to .i-icitani the amoont wbicb
would be saved it tbe proposed redaction of ten
percent, wasma< e, and to (jive tne City Council
an idea oi ib< Increase in tbe amount paid for
salaries since iw;o. your c mmittee submit bere-
with statements shoeing tbe increase, and ;:iso
the anion n i w ieh uii^lit be saved iii each depait-
ment it a re UCtlOU often per cent, were iii (I- on
all tbe salaries of $1000 and upward. The reduc-
tions proposed in the salary bill hereto annexed
are show a m tbe statement*, in oraei to niv:' the
total amount which would be saved in each de-
partment.
[T te details of the salaries paid the clerks in the
departments are given in the schedales referred
too
In summarizing it* recommendations, the com-
mittee state that in the office of the City Treasurer
eight persons receive 81000 and upward. The
cashier gives s20,000 bonds; ibe tell'r gives
$10,000; each oaymaster gives $10,000. The sala-
ries of these ofiieeis oo not appear to be more
than a fair compensation, considering the respon-
sible natuie of their duties, ana the amount of
oonds which they are required to givt ; therefore
ne reduction is lecou meno'ed.
The aggregate amount ot the salaiies ot the
other officers is $8100, ami -. reduction of te:. per
cent, is reconi'ii. nded on that amount. The sala-
ries paid in the department of the Auditor of Ac-
counts appear to oe laigs- in comparison with the
duties performed, and a lenuctiou of $1950 was
recommended. Sevei employe's in the office of
tbe Collector ot Taxe-. -xclusive or the Deputy
Collectors, receive salaries of $1000 and upward.
The cashier, teller and constable give oonds in
the sum of $20,000, $10,000 anC $8000, respectively,
and no reduction is recommended in their sala-
ries. The aggregate of the other salares is $8000,
and on that amount a reduction of ten per cerjt.
is recommended. With the exception of the City
Engineer and the Assistant Engineers, th^ em-
ployes of that department are paid by the day.
The prices vary from $3 to $7 per day, ami al-
lowing 313 woikiog days to the year, there are
eight persons receiving $1000 and upwaid. The
agg'egaie amount of their salaiies i« $12,207, and
a reduction of ten percent, is recommended on
that amount. There are titty-two employes in rhe
Surveyor's department at present, but the Survey-
or announces his intention to discharge eight in
March.
Tne salaries vary tiom seventy-five cents fo
$7.35 per day. There are seventeen persons re-
ceiving s&laries of $1000 and upward, and tbe ag-
gregate amount of their salaries, excluding those
who are to b ) discharged, is $22,396, on which a
reduction oft n per cent. i* recomm nded. A re-
duction of ten per ce'it. is recommended on rhe
salaries paid to the boatmen employed by the
Harbor Master.
For the Water and Street departments a reduc-
tion of ten per cent, on $1000 a od upward is rec-
ommended, as well as the employment ot Laborers
at the market price, ihe ten per cent, rule ap-
plies to salaries of persons eaiplovetl in the De-
partment tor the Survey and Inspection of Build-
ings and the permanent men employed in ihe Fire
Department, rh". saving proposed in the Fire
Depaitment is $32,275.98.
The Registrars of Voters escape reduction, as
does the City Messenger; and the committee
found one clerk, in the Lamp Department, who
did not receive pav enoueh. The rule of ten per
cent, was recommended for all depvrtmeots, ex-
cept in the cases of a few employes.
The Chief ot Police loses $350 on his salary ot
$3500, and the Deputy and Clerk are not interfered
with. Captains, lieutenant- , sergeants and police
office's lose twenty-five cents per day, and super-
intendents under" the chief forty cents per nay.
The total saving in this department wt uld be St;4.-
206.75, and in the School Department it would be
$48,815.
The salary questiou, so fai as it can be acted
upon by the City Council, applies to rhe officers
FEBKUARY
1876.
64
referred to in the a ove table, aud the leductioo
in salaries of other slerks ;,nd uorier-officials is
within the power of ne /is of departments, who
will be guided, however, by the action of the Gov-
ernment on the recommendations made.
Amount of reduction recommended in salary
bill $92,373.75
Amount of reduction recommended on other
salaries 109,540.97
Total amount of reduction $201,914.72
An examination of tne foregoing statements
will ishow th*t the salaries of citv officials have
been largely laoieased since the close of the war.
Since that time the expenses of living have been
gradually but steadily reduced, and your commit-
tee teel that tne taxpayeisand the public gen-
erally expect a decrease in the burden now im-
posed upon tht-m. The moderate reductions that
have ir.eeu recommended, while fallr g but lightly
on the various city officials, will ineet in some
degree the g ner^l demand, and are the least that
could be mane in view of the number of persons
affected by them. The committee are not pre-
pared at this time to r-comment' ny action on
the salary oi the Superintendent of Congress-
street Bridge, and their report on that officer will
be presented talaterdat?.
Respectfully submitted.
George T. Sampson.
alvah a. burrage.
Francis Jaques.
Osborne Howes, Jr.
William E. Shay.
Appeuded to the report are orders fixing the
salaries as above given.
The report was accepted.
Aldertnau Biurage — The duties of the Commit-
tee on Salaries this year were unusual'v difficult
aud their task an ungrateful one. After the adop-
tioa oy :he General Government of the ill-fated
but unavoidable measure of issuing a large
amount of paoer mon^y aud making it a legal
tender, there was a rapid rise in prices of all com-
modities, and consequently a great increase in the
cost of living. Busiuess'of aUkidds was stimu-
lated bv the nominal rise in values, sind profits
were large. But tor several years those who la-
bored for fixed salaries received less compen-
sation, compared with the cost of living, than any
other class of persons. It was not until 1864, three
years after the commencement of the war, the year
in which the price of gold (the criterion of aricesof
all commodities) reached 280,. that an inciease was
made in the salaries of our city officials. But
from that tim« until last year it appears
to bj>ve been the grateful province of the
Committee on Salaries each year to rec-
ommend au increase, so that of late the
employes of the city have, as a rule, been re-
ceiving larger compensation tor their services
thao is obtained by business men or any other
class in the community. Although there has been
a very largo decline ij the pices of articles of
consumption siuce the close ot the war, the ab-
normal condition of things caused by a ■ inflated
currency has so changed our ideas anil habits that
it has become difficult torus to discrimi zte be-
tween the necessaries of life and superfluous lux-
uries, the latter to a s rreat extent, being mistaken
for the former, so that notwithstanding every
business man bas known for several yeais that his
expenses wre eatiDg up his profits, there appear-
ed to be no remedy; for e^ery one had come to
feel t nat it would not only be utterly impossible
to reduce his expenses of liviig,but an increase of
income was needful to enable him to live in a style
suitable to one m his position in society.
Our city is fortunate in having tor managers of
it? depaitments men ot mors thao ordinary abili-
ty and faithful v ess, and persmsio subordinate
positions who, us * rule, are efficient and faithful
in the discharge of their duties. If any class
could claim exemption from the ngorous opera-
tion of the laws of political economy they might
he entitled to that immunity. But the period of
unnatural inflation of values,with consequent un-
healthy speculation in business and extravagance
in living, is passing away, and will soon, I trust,
come to an end. We are now to realize that
neitoer a destructive war, disastrous tires, or irre-
deemable panei money can produce real prosperi-
ty, but that the immense waste caused oy those
evils is a real loss, which must do painfully made
up by hard work and persistent economv. It is
well known taat business of all kinds is
unremunerative. Merchants aud manufacturers
are uot getting enough from their business
to pay expenses; they are theref.re compelled to
adopt the alte< aauve of goiuy out of business be-
fore or after failure, or of cuttiug down their ex-
penses by reducing tne wages of their employes.
Hence, while there bus been a general i eduction
ia wages, large numbers of labortrs, skilled as
well as unskilled, have bf en thrown out or work
entirely, and are now seeking employment at
greatlv reduced or nominal wages. Me^nwuile,
excepting ton laborers in ceitain department-, the
pay of the employes of toe city has not been di-
minished. By the tabulated -racem-nts ia the re-
wort of the committee, it will be seen tii t the sal-
aries for offices that existed in 1865-66, uave been
mcrea-ed siuce thar time from nearly 50 to more
thao 100 per cent.; while there bas also been a
large H.cr a ase in tne number oi officers and
clerks, tae increase keeping pace with the growth
of the city.
But while the salaries have been increasing, the
cost of living lias been dioiinishicg. Owing to
the influ°nce of the abuoimal condition of things,
before alluded to, upon our minds, we are ail sur-
prised to find, upon investigation, how large the
reduction has been. I have takeu pains to obtain
the prices of ctrtain -tapie articles of consump-
tion ia January, 1865, aud at the present time, aid
as tbey have an important b- aring upon the ques-
tion before us, I venture to oreseut them. 1 will
say that the quotations if orices of provisions
and groceries in 1865 ate from the New York
Daily Tribune of Jau. 28, l a t.. at year, in the list
then puohshed dailv by that journal, under the
head of "Family Markets. The Cost of Living in
New York." The quotations for Jp^nuary, 1876,
were obtained, at the shops in which I do my fam-
ily marketing. The quotations of cotton goods
were furnished by a partuer in one of the leading-
jobbing and retail dry goods houses in this city,
and tlioce of woollens mostly by agents of the
manufacttiieis of the goods quoted:
Comparative Statement of Prices of Some of the Necessa-
ries of Life.
Retail prices-
Jan., 1865. Jan., 187(i.
Wheat flour $11 to $15 per bbl. $7 to $10.60
Indian meal 5 t» 6 cents per lb. 3 cents.
Coffee, pure burnt. 55 to 60 " " 42 to 45 cents.
Tea, Oolong $1.25to$1.75 " 35ceutsto$l.
Sugar, brawn 23to26cents " 9 to lOJi cents.
Sugar,whitecrshd.30to3l " " 11 to 12" "
Molasses, New Or-
leans $1.25 to $1 .50 per gal. ' 85 to 90 "
Keroseneoil 1.10 to 1.20 " 18 to 20 "
Rice 15 to 17 cents per lb. 10 to 12 "
Butter, prime 60to65 " " 42 to 45 "
Beef , sirloin 25to35 " " 25 to 33
Beef, soup pieces.. 14 to 18 " " 3 to 10 "
Veal, loins 25to30 " " 15 to 20 "
Mutton 16 to 30 " " 8 to 20 "
Beef, corned 15to25 " " 8 to 16 "
Pork, salt corned.. 22 to 24 " " IS to 16
Pork, salt hams.... 25 to 28 " " 10tol2
Fish, fresh cod 15 " " 6 to 8 "
Fish, dry cod 11 to 12 " " 6 to 8 "
Apples 50 to 611 " perpk 50 to 65 "
Cranberries 40to50 " perqt 15 to 18 "
Potatoes $1.50 to $2 per bush 50 to 75 "
Onions 95 cents to $1.20 pk 25to30
Cabbages 20 to 40 cents each 8 to 25 "
Milk 10tol2 " perqt 8 to 9
Coal $11.50 to $12.50 ton $7.50 to $8.25
Average cost higher in 1865. 59 14-100 per cent.
Ave rase cost lower in 1876 37 16-100 per cent.
WTiolesale prices-
Jan., 1865. Jan., 1876.
A. 0. A. ticks 70 cents per yard. 22' 2 cents.
A. " 60+iJ " 19
D. " 47)j " 13)£ "
Pepperell K. Bro.
cotton 46}i " 9
4-4 a. bleached Am-
oskeag cotton 45'j " 111 1 , "
42-in. Langdon
bleached cotton. .47 J 2 " 10K "
4-4 do. do...32}£ " 13 " "
Bates XX bleached
cotton 42^ " 11', "
5-4 Wamsutta do....54)J " 20 "
N. Y. Mills cotton. .52'^ " 13 "
Slater's paper cam-
brics 25 " li
Lan'ster ginghams.32)2 " lit.; "
Cocheco prints .27 " iy, "
Oriental " 24% " 7>£ ■'
Bates quilts $6 each. $1.50 each.
No. 2 4-4 Gilbert
flannel $1. 32 M. per yard. 75 cents.
Middlesex opera do.75 cents " 40 "
Middlesex sacking, $2 " $1.25
Middlesex 9^-oz.
flannels 2.75 " 1.75
Middlesex 113j-oz.
flannels 3.00 '• 1.90
Middlesex Morley
beaver 3.5u " 2.25
65
BOA IMJ OF ALDERMEN
Jan, l«65. .Inn. l*7(i.
Middlesex l)luedo..$5.0U per yard. >>.'>()
Middlesex shawls.. H.60eacn. ».50each.
Fitchbnrg mixed
oasslmerea 2,12% per yard. 1.12 jj
Vassalboroogb Mk.
cloths 2.80to2.87% 2.12ij
Cotton, middling.. .87>£ to BM cts. lb. bij 2 c<-n^.
Wool, domestic
fleece 90 to 81.10 " Vi% to 80 cents.
a M-ra^e cost higher in 1866— cottons 274 percent,
" lower in 1878 — cottons 78 12-109 per cent.
higher In 1865— woollens 62 30-100 pr ci at,
" " lowerln 1876— woollens 34 84-100 per cent,
It will be seen thai the average prices of the
articles of provisions aod groceries quoted were
about 59 l» 1 cent, higher in 1866 than thev are
now, or that tfcey are now about 37 per cent, less
than they were at that, time; that the cotton
(roods quoted were then about 274 per cent, high-
er than .tow, 01 about 7:i per cent, lower no v tb<vn
at that time ; and that the woollen good* quoted
weie then about 52 per cent, higher t'tan at pies-
ent, or about 34 per cent, lower now tuan at that
tiinn. I 0.1 Informed by a r al-estate broker,
who ; > s done an extensive Dusmess in this city
for many years, that "in good location, reccs
(for dwelling houses) are cbout 20 per cenS less
than they were in 1865-66. In locations nol so de-
sirable there is a greater difference." From thtse
figures it appears that the necessary cost of
hying has been reduced at l°ast 25 to 37V2 per
Ci nt. lu view of these tacts, MY. Chairman,
it would seem as if there could be no room
for difference c f opinion upon the general
question of reducing salaries, it would doubtless
be agreeable to members of the City Council, as
individuals, to vote gratuities to the' faithful ser-
vants ot the city; out we are here as trustees, to
manage the affairs of this corporation honestly,
wisely and impartially, for th? benefit of all tlie
shareholders, th j people, and we have no right to
take their moot-y to pay higher wages tor services
to the city than they themselves are receiving' for
services of the same grade and value, iu other
words, we aie bound to exercise the same sagaci-
ty, disci etinn and thrift in mauaging the affairs
of toe city, that we would use in me mau^gement
of our own business. And further, while we may
be generous with our own, we have no warrant
tor being lavish, or even generous, at the expense
of the taxpayers. As a general rule toe commit-
tee hi ve recoinmendea a leouetion of ten per
cent., but in some instances they oeviated from
the rule, where, in their judgment, there were pe=
culiar circumstances that required it. One of the
instances may be mentioned. Th salary of the
Mayor has 1 ot bet.n increased since 1865, when it
was £1000 higher than that of any other city offi-
cial. For seveial years past tlie salary of the
chief executive officer of the city has been §1000
less than ihe respective salaries of the Auditor,
Treasurer and City Solicitor. So much in expla-
in a ti on of the action of the committee in recom-
mending a reluction of salaries. A word r ;sueet-
ing toeir reasons for not recommending a larger
reduction. It is well known that it is much easier
to let one's v>ants and expenses increase than it is
to reduce them, and that most persons graduate
their manner of livine' by th?ir ii come; therefore
it might be a great naroship, if not a>. injustice,
to those affected, to suddenly reduce tneu sala-
lies to the absolute leqnirern'nrs of the situation.
In is to be hopen (hat the city will continue to re-
tain the services of all its efficient r.no faithful
servants, and that they v. ill cheerfully cooperate
in the patriotic work of restoring to our country
a healthy prosperity by again establishing busi-
ness, boih oublic a d private, upon the solid basis
ot honesty, economy and thrift.
On motion of A'ldarrnan Burrage the orders
were laid on the table.
LICENSES.
Alderman Bigelow submitted reports as follows
from the Committee on Licenses:
Ordered, That the license heretofore granted to
Abraham Levi as a pawnbroker at 61 Cambridge
street be revoked lor cause.
Read twice and passed.
Intelligence Office Licensed — John A. Cafiey,
833 Washington St-eet.
Passenger Wagons Liceosed — Wellington &
Coleman, to run two wagons from Bowdoin square
to Rowe's and India wharves.
Minors' Applications Granted— One bootblack,
thirty-one newsooys.
Auctioneer's License Renewed— William K.
Ritchie, 48 Congress street.
Wagon Licerses Granted— A. I). Davis, 173
Fri< nd street; E. Ii. Steiinle,33 Eliot strei t.
Amusement Licenses t; anted— Wan n-stteet
Chapel, to give entertaiiin cut Feb 22: Kdwaid
Malonev, to exhibit wrestl'ng mitcb ai Revere
Hall, Fen. 11; Bairiaon-Square M, B, Chureb, to
give series or entertainments.
Billiard License* Granted— Henry Shoendo.-f, 74
State street; Coidelie J. Blade, 88-90 Coort -treet.
Dealer in Second-band Articles Licensed— A. C.
Falconer, 58 Hauipden street.
Severally accepted.
TRUST I IMis OF Till-; OTEB8EKB8 OF THE Pour.
Alderman Hull submitted a report from the
Joint Committee on the Oveiseei a 01 the Poor, in
compliance with the eighth section ot the ord-
nance relating to that department, that they have
examined and invi stic ated the condition and in-
vestment of all property in tt us ted to ana depos-
ited with the Overseers, and fina that the letjuire-
ments ot the ordinance have been complied with.
Tbe committee - lbn it a statement trom ihe Over-
seers, from which it an lears that the amount of
the invested funds is 8487,180.60; cash on band,
85536.62, making <» total amountot the trust funds
.•8492,716.22. Accented. Sent down.
THE SALE OF FTREWOBKB.
Alderman Buraham submitted a report from
tht Committee 00 Fiiv Department, on pi tition of
Htyer Brothers andotheis, dealers in firework",
that thev ha -, e given a public bearing to all par-
ties in relation to tbt. use of tirewoik-, and heard
the statement of the Chief Engineer, and recom-
mend the passage of the following:
Resolved, That in the opinion of. the Cif> Coun-
cil it is not expedient to resirict tbe use ot fire-
wOiKs(wiib tne exception ot tire crackers and
serpents) in this city during tbe present municipal
year.
Aldeiman Stebbins— I wish to hear some good
reason for rever.-ing the action of the City Coun-
cil for the past two or three years upon this mat-
ter, and allowing fireworks to be sold.
Alderman Burnham— Tbs committee found they
were considenug this matter under the pressure
ot a centennial atmosphere, in which it assumed
sufficient importance to grant not only a heanug
to the petitioneis, who were chiefly manufacturers
and dealers, nut also a public hearing at which
the Board of Fire Ward* ns of this city were large-
ly represented. Since the great fire of 1872. there
has been a growing feeling amoog a'l classes of
the community that anv proper protection against
the calamity of fire could haroly ce too strong, or
too iigidly enforced by city ordinance. This feel-
ing found expression in the action of toe City
Cotiucil, by which, since that conflagration, the
use of fireworks on our national anniversary has
been practically prohibited; ana also by tne action
of tub Chiet Engineer of ths Fire Department, by
which 250 licenses for the sale granted thiee y -ai's
ago have been brougtt down to sixteeu granted
last year. It was apparent that the action leferrea
to by the city , and by them sought to be changed,
must affect adversely the branch of trade they
reuresent, not ouly within our city limits, but, ft
was claimed, by force of Boston's example, also in
other cities and towns 111 our Commonwealth and
over New Englard. The investigation of the sub-
ject, however, brought out the fact that the dan-
ger of conflagration from tbe use of fuewori s was
not to be attributed to all fireworks, but to a class
technicallv known a« the crackers and serpents;
that it was these otly which, after burning, are
left with a lighted slow match to communicate
fire to any combustible mattei * ithin reach.
The committee wert unamu ous tuat this
class ot fiieworks should be excluded from use,
and that oy such exclusion the restriction ot past
years might be — t least, in the centennial year—
dispensed with, and they reuorted the resolve
before the Board.
The resolve was lean twice and passed. Sent
do vn.
PAVING REPORTS AND ORDERS.
Aldermau Bigelow suomitted tbe following from
the Committee on Raving:
Report of leave 10 withdraw 00 recommitted pe-
tition of Middlesex Railroad Company that the
location in Haymarket square granted to the Met-
lopolitau Railroad be levotiea and given to them.
The report was recommittec',00 mctioo ot Alder-
man Thompson, who presented the petition and
desired to be heard uetore the committee.
Ordered, That the Superintendent of Streets De
directed to grade Clifton street, as recently laid
FEBRUARY
1 H 7 (3
66
out by the Board of Street Commissioners, from
Huclsoo street to Shipley street, Ward 20.
Read twice and passed.
Report and order for collection of Eagle street
edgestooe assessments. Order read twice and
passed.
Repoit and order of i otice for hearing on Mo 3-
day, Feb. 28tb, on petition of Middlesex Railroad
for location in Summer, Lincoln, Beach and Wash-
ington streets. Order passed.
PETITION FOR STEAM ENGINE.
A petition ^as received from J.F.Taylor for
leave tolocate a sceatr engme of thirty-five borse
power io a candle factoiv on North Beacon stieet,
near Parsons, Ward 22, and an ordfir was passed
for a bearing thereon on Feb. 28, at four o'clock
P. M.
SQUARE ON BACK BAY.
Alderman Blgelow offered the following;:
Ordered, That the Corn mittee on th» Comoion
and Public Squares be authorized to confer ia oe-
balf ot the City Council with the governor and
Council of fbis Common we 1th for the convey-
ance to the city of the parcel of land on Dart-
mouth and Boy IstOD srreets, referred to and de-
scribed in chapter 195 of the acts of 1875.
Parsed. Sent down.
PERMIT FOR STABLE.
Alderman Tiles submitted a report from Com-
mittee on Health o i the part of the Board in fa-
vor ot grantiug petiuon of John H. Pattee, tor
leave to occupy new wooded stable on Harris
court, Ward 4. AcceDtcd.
TREE TO BE REMOVED.
Alderman Bigelow submitted :, report fioui the
Committee on Common on die part of t/ae Bo'rd.
recommending that M. Eva s have leave to out
down a tree on Brown avenue, Ward 23, at his
own expenfe, under the dhectiou of the Superin-
tendent of Public Grounds. Accepted.
CLAIMS.
Alderman O'Biien submitted the following from
the Joint Committee on Claims:
Report on netition of Stephen H. Tarbeli, that
the petitioner was a surety oa thb bond of Joseph
E. R. Pierce, the contractor for building an addi-
tion to tli > Francis-street Se-hoolhouse. The
terms of the contract were that the work should
toe completed on or before Sept. 20, 1875, and ih<it
the contractoi should forfeit thirty collars a day
for every day's delay in the) completion or the
work after that date, to be deducted tioni the
amount of the contract. The contractor was un-
able to complete tbe contract vvitinn the specified
time, and the petitiooer, villi tbe concurrence of
the Coaamirteo on Public Buildings and the con-
tent ot the contractor, completed the work in ac-
cordance with the plan a ?d sp cifications, and io
a veiy satisfactory manue.', but not until a dela* r
of sixty da vs had ensued. Th" otlay caused no
inconvenience, md the work was done m a better
mamoer than if it bad h.-en pushed tor vard in wi-
der to comp'ete it wituin the time specified in the
contract. Tn° o ■ ly expense to the city w,s tor pro-
viding temporary accommodations for the schools,
a nouuting to $174. in vi^w of the fact that the
city suffered uo loss, biif was ready benefited by
the delay, your coon litter are of the opi lion 'In't
the forfeiture provided in the comracr should not
be enforced, but tint the petitioner should be
paid the full amount, less the sum paid for tem-
porary school accommodations, «.od they recom-
mend the pa>saie of the folio ^rog:
Ordered, That there be allowed ami paid to
Stephen H. Tarbeil, bondsman and assignee of
Joseph E. R. Picic , me sum of $1626, being the
amount deducted by rhe Committee ou Public
Buildings from the contract for builoicg the ad-
dition to the Francis-street Scboolhouse, less the
amount paid for temporary school accommoda-
tions; provided, that the said Tarbeli aivesto the
city an agreement, satisfactory to the City Solic-
itor, holding tbe city harmless agaiBst ail mechan-
ics' lieus and charges of every description arising
from, or on account of the said contract; the said
sum to be chargeo to the appropriation foi the
Francis-stieet Schoolhouse.
Read once.
Repoit of leave to withdraw on petition of E. L.
Frotniogbam for remission of tax o.i estate 8
Garland street. Accepted. Sent down.
CLINTON AND RICHMOND STREET EXTENSION.
Alderman WbichUn submitted a report from
the Joint Committee on Assessors' Depaitment,
on petition of Mercantile Wharf Company (that
the tax oi certain laud conveyed to (he city for
the extension of Clinton and Richm mil streets be
rernittetO that prior to the first day of May the
peiiuoners, by an agrecme t n wilting, stipu-
lated to convey to tin ci>y the land required tor
the exte. -ioo of Clintoj and Richmond srreets.
Thev were preoare^ to give the city a deed or ihe
land at any time after signing the agreement, but
owing to tDi oeiay on toe part of tne city i a ex-
amining the title, thn deed was nor, dated until
May 1. «.nd the property became liable t> taxa-
tion Tli-1 land conveyed to the city co named
30,137 square test, and the t;,x amou is to
$1238.48. Your committee aie of the o in ion that
the tax should be remitt-d, lea-much as ibe peti-
tioners were prepared to IviGl their part of the
agreement, nd wei^ onlv prevented fiom con-
veying the land oy the delay in examining tbe
title, and they would recommend the wastage of
tbe following:
Ordered, That so much ot toe tax assessed upoa
tba Mticantile Wharf Compa' y as was based
upon tbe valuation of 30,137 square feet of land,
rjow included id Clinton -, d Richmond streets,
amounting to $1238, be a ad the same is nsreby re-
mitte >. Read once.
PUBLIC LAUDS.
Alderman O'Brien suomiited the following
from toe Joint Committer on Public Land-;:
Reaort on petition of George H. Davis et a/., re-
commending rhe passage of th>- following:
Oidered, That his Honor tbe Mayor be and lie is
hereby authorized, in behalf of thi <-ity of Bostoo,
to execute an instrument made satisfactory to the
City Solicitor, whereby the conditions imposed by
a deed given to Uriah Cotting, dated Sept. 4, 1806,
and recorded with Suffolk Deer.s, lib. 218, foJ. 60,
of certaiu land on Washington ami Ease Newton
streets, in Boston, be changed co restrictions, and
said city shall agree to claim uo title in said
premises by reasou of any breach of said condi-
tions.
Read twice and passed. Sent down.
Report on petition of John Carew, recommend-
ing the passage of 1he following:
Ordered, 'hat the time for building upon the
lot of land miMberin* seven East Fourth ? tieet, as
sold uy the city io Ste.lu-u H. Tarbeli, Feb. 10,
1875, be extended to Feb. 1, 1877, upon condition
That John Carew, the present owier thereof, shall
pay to rhe Superintendent of Lands the sura of
$75 within tea days from ihe passage of this order.
Read twice and passed. Sent down.
ARMORIES.
Alderman O'Brien submitted the lollowing
from the Committee ou Armories:
Ordered, That the-e be allowed and paid to
Captai i Henry A. Snow, commanding C »mpanv
G, Fust Regiment of Infantry, M. V. M., rhe sum
ot $575, on account of fitting and furnishing the
aimoiyof said company at No. 348 Washington
street; said sum to be charged to the appropria-
tion for Armories.
Read twice and passed.
MARKET.
Alderman Bun age submitted a report from the
Committee on Market in favor of aporovil of
transfer of lease of stall No, 13, ve.v Faueuii Hall
Market, from Samuel C. Tiyo .. to Pratt & Fitcfi.
Accepted.
SWING SIGNS.
Alderman Barrage submitted reports from the
Committes on Police in favor of granting permits
to W H. Jo.,es to maintain a druggist's mortar at
2224 "Washington streer, and James D. Judge to
place letters ou the. white glass of his lantern at
79 Beach -freer. Severally accepted.
Aldermsn Whiddeu — I want to say on? word in
regard to the licensing of mortars and sign-; in
front of buildings. If I understand the proceed-
ings of last year, this Board passed an order re-
moving all signs projecting from premise-, and I
would ask if, when liberty is given to parties to
maintain mortars, that th-y oe confined to cer-
tain limits, that thev be piacsd wholly upon tbe
buildings, and not hung out in front, as io that
case the ordinance has no effect. I don't know
that any action need be taken upon it, for if it is
le it to the Iuspector of Buildings it will be all
right; but I would n't waut any permits given to
ban« signs ac oss the sidewalks, or to project
farther from tbe building than the law allocs.
Aid ei man Burrage— The Alderman was not here
last y-:ar, and does not know the reasons given by
tne committee. It was deemed best to make an
exception of mortars, thev being near the build-
67
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
ings and not at all dangerous. The lanterns are
co sidered a pusiic benefit, if properly placed) us
they add to tbe light oa ."he str et,andw< do not
deeai it b,uj detriment to have them remain. We
tin ik that morl is and lanterns stand upon a dlf-
feienl foo bag from *wiae signs. Ge clemen will
understand th t th* order applied f >> rhem, and
ill;, i is tbe reason the petitions come ii »e.
SECOND Assistant assissoks.
On motion ol Alderman O'Briei tae ordinance
to amend an ordinance relating toa*se-sor's de-
partment v>as taken from the table.
Alderman O'Brien— 1 ttei that this is a move in
tbe riebc oirectiou. Th ■ n port of tbe committee
reducing the laboisol the Second Assistant As-
sessors will s ve the cit» of Boston iron $io,000to
$12,000 a year, anc really *e shall nave a more
efficient board. Bui I don't think the committee
have gone tar enough. 1 am satisfied from inves-
tigating the suoject auring tne week that the
number of principal assessor? can i e reduced
from five to three without any detriment to the
public service. I know that tne labors of tnac de-
partment could be as ivcl ami as promptly per-
formed bj three principal assessors as bv five. I
move thai thenumber be reduced riom five to
three.
The motion was lost aid tn.- ordinance passed.
Si nt down.
NOMINATIONS \M> ELECTIONS.
superintendents of Bridges. A report was sub-
mi it ed by Aloerman Butubam nominating tbe
following-named persons for Superintendents of
Budges :
Federal-street— Jacob Norris.
Dovei -street — *ngus Nfdton.
( h isea-street— Edward T. Stow6is.
Charies-Rivei — joel R. Bolan,
Warren -chavles H. Marple.
Mtloen— Jono Howard.
Broadway— John C. Poole.
Mt. Washiugton-a venue— George H. Davis.
Meriaiau-street— Reuben B. "Wendell.
Congress- street— Matthew J. Callahan.
The tetJOit was accented, ana the Board pro-
ceeded to an election, on motion of Alderman
Burnham, who stated that t tie nominees are the
present incumbents- exceut, Ma'tbew J. Callahan,
for Congress-street Bridge.
Tne Chairman read the petition of Ira Masterson,
for appointment of Superintendent of Mt. Wash-
ington-avenue Bridge. Sent down.
Aldermen Burnhrm and W bidden were appoinr-
ed a committee to collect aud count votes, and
they reported that »U of tbe above-named bad re-
ceived 12 votes, except George H. Davis, for Mt.
Washington-avenue Bridge, wno had 10 ballots,
ano Ira Ma*tersou had 2. The nominees were ae-
clarod elected, bent down.
Superintendent of Public Grounds. Alderman
O'Brien submitted a reporr from the Joint Special
Comuiitt e on tbe subject, nominating John Gal-
vin as a candidate tor Superintendent of Com-
mon and Public Grounds. Accepted, acd on mo-
tion an election was ordered, Aldermen O'Brien
and Viles being apoointed a committee to collect
and count votes. They reported chat Johu Galvin
had received 10 votes and Henry A. May 2. Mr.
Galvin was declared elected. Set* cowu.
Directors of East Boston Femes. On motion of
Alderman Thompson, this matter was taken from
the table and an electio a ordered. Committee co
receive, sore and count votes— Aldermen Thomp-
son and Hull.
Whole number of votes 12
Necessary for a choice 7
Alderman George T. Sampson had 12
Councilman Edward Pearl 9
" Marcellus Day 10
" .John F. Newton 5
And Messrs. Sampson, Pearl and Day were de-
clared el-cted in concurtence.
City Architect. Commit! ee— Aldermen Pope,
Stebbms. George A. Clough had 12 bailors, and
was declared elected. Sent clown.
Cochituate Water Board. Tbis mater was
taken from the table and an election ordered, on
motion of Alderman Sampson, who, witbAlder-
man O'Brieu, vasappoloted to collect and count
rotes. Cooncilmaa Augustus Parker received 8
votes, and Con cilmao Cnarles E. Rice had. 4. Mr.
Parker was declared elected in non-concune ce.
Sent dowo.
Superintendent of Sewers. Committee — Alder-
m°li Viles, Burrage. William II. Bradley received
12 votes an i was oeclared • leered. Sent down,
Assessors of 'Ve ivs. Committer — Ali-imea
O'Brien, Viles.
■.Vhohi number of votes 12
leceseaxy tor a choice 7
Thomas mils had 12
Benjamin Cashing 12
Horace Smith. h
Thomas J. Bancroft 9
Benjamin F. Palmer 11
George S.Pendergast a
L. Foster Morse 2
Ana .Messrs. Hills, (u-iiiig, S,nith, Bani-roft and
Palmei were dec'ared ei?cted. sent down.
Superintendent of Public Buildings. Commit-
tee— Aldermen Hull, Tnomnson. James C Tucker
received 12 votes and was oeclared elected. Sent
down.
City Messenger. Conmittei— Aldermen Pope,
Sainpson. Alvah H. Peters received 12 votes aod
was declared i lecte i. Sent down.
Clerk of Committees. Committee— A'dtrmen
Burrage, Btgelow. William H. Lee received 12
votes aod wa declared e ected. Sent down.
Superintendent of Streets. Com nittee— Alder-
men Bigeiou, O'Brien. Charles Harris rec-ived
12 votes, ano he was decla ed elected. Sent
down.
Superintendent of Public Lands Committee—
Alderrneo O'Brien, Sampson. Robert W. Hall re-
ceived 12 votes, and was declared elected Sent
down.
City Surveyor. Committee— Aldermen W hid-
den, Burnham. Thomas W. Davis received 12
votes, and was declared elected. Sent down.
City EngineerT Committee— Aloermei Sten-
kins, Pope. Joseph P. Davi ; received 12 votes,
and was declared elected. Sent down.
City Solicitor. Committee— Aluermen Bigelow,
Hull. John P. Healy received 12 votes, and
was declared e'eeted. Sent, down.
Water Registrar. Committee — Aldermen Steb-
bins, Pope. William P.Davis leceived 12 votes,
and was declared elected, sent down.
PARKER HILL RESERVOIR.
Alderman c tebbins — I rise to make an explana-
tion in regard to an order *uich passed the Board
last Mooday, to pay for the construction of Parker
Hill Reservoir. I should have mad" the explana-
tion at the time, as I understood some members of
the Board , who are not familiar with th° construc-
tion of tne reservoir, did not see the necessity of
so large an additional approoriation, and it is due
that tbis explanation should be made. Tbe origi-
nal estimate, in 1873, for a 6,000,000-gallois reser-
voir was $234,246. The matter was referred to
the Comuittee on Water of that year, and tbey
ascertained tnat the title to the land was so tied
up that it would be difficult to obtain a deed for
some ti'o or ihree years. They concluded that
it would be be iter to leport a nominal price for
thr» land (fifteen cents a foot), which they did, and
leave the amount to be settled by the courts. The
amount anpropriated at the last meecina- was
$67,246, the original appropriation was $i61,000,
making the cost $228,246. The estimate was
$234,000, so thai the reservoir was constructed
within the Engineer's estimate, auol a much larger
reservoir «as built thau wa« anticipated— 7,000, -
000 gallons instead of 6,000,000.
ORDER FOR NOMINATIONS.
Alderman Burnham offered the following:
Ordered, That the Committee on Bridges be re-
quested to nominate candidates for Superintend-
ents of Bridges not w uolly within the limits of
tbis eity.
Passed.
On morion of Alderman Thompson, the Board
adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
68
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
FEBRUARY 10, 1876.
Regular meetingat 7y 2 o'clock P. M., .7. Q. A.
Brackets, President, in ilae chair.
INVESTIGATION OF CHARGES OF BRIBERY AND
CORRUPTION.
Mr. Flynn of Ward 13— Before proceeding to the
ordinary business of the Council, I desire to pre-
sent a resolution, one which probably affects tbe
character of certain mernbeis of this body; aud
before * e go into tne great number of elections
which are on the programme for tonight, that this
matter may be fully discussed— tor I believe it to
be of more importance than the election of offi-
cers ot the Government -I desire to ask that tne
rule be suspended in order that the resolution
may be introduced.
The iule was suspended .rnd Mr. Flynn offered
the following:
Whereas, Current reports reflecting upon the
integrity and uonesty ot certain members of this
branch of tne City Government, and affecting to
some extent the reputation of this cody in gen-
eral, have finally cuiuuiuatt d through the iustru-
msi tality of one ot its members in charges being
preferred against an individual member of the
Common Council, it is hereby
Resolved, That the heretofore unblemished rep-
utation of the Common Council of the city of Bos-
tou ha.s bten ontnly assailed in such a maaner as
to demand a thorough investigation of charges of
malfeasance or acceptance of bribes for influence
and votes, or either, in the matter of the location
or the public vegetable market on the land of the
India-wharf Corporation, or the subsequent re-lo-
caiion of the said market by the City Government
ou the land of the Mercantili-wharf Corporation :
Orotrea. Thai a committee of five of this br.aich
be appomced, with full powers, to investigate and
report upon any and all charge* against members
of the Common Council, preferred in connection
with then actions aud|votes, or either, iu the origi-
nal location or the re-location of the public vege-
table maiket bv the City Council.
The resolve and order were read twice and put
upon their passage.
Mr. Peabody ot Waul 11— I am rejoiced to have
that resolutiou introduced here, sii , and I think ic
is high time that some such actiou should be
taken, for the reputation of the Council is very
deeply concerned when its members are accused
in the newspapers of briuery aid co-ruptioo.
Even tbe Preident of the Chuncil is named, in a
late publication of the Boston Herald, where it
savs—
"Even the President o f the Counc 1 is charged
with being concerned in the transaction, and this
fact alone, in justice to Mr. Brackett, will call for
an investigation, in order that he may show e'ean
hands."
Now, sir, I feel that every friend of the Presi-
dent will join most heartily in this investigation;
and as no person could be mor- dt-sirous to have
it than the President himself, I certainly hope
the resolution will pass by a unanimous vote. I
have had the honor to serv° in this Council with
you, £ir, for the past two year;, aud I can say with
confidence that I feel sure that the honorable
record you made During that period, iuct that
your still more honorable record since your unan-
imous election as President of this Council, will
stand the better the more it is invescigated.
President Brackett called Mr. Willcuttof Ward
23 to the chair, and spoke as follows:
Mr. President, I h <ve asked you to take the
cbair at this tint, sir, because x desire to say a
word in favor of tne passage of that resolution. I
have seen the reoori which has been read by the
gentleman from Ward 11, ana which reflects to
some ext-nt upon myself ; and before that report
was published I had also heard that insinuations
had een made in regard to myself in connection
with the Mercautile-wharf transaction. I have
taken uains to endeavor to aaetrtain by waom
these changes and insinuations have been made,
and in what they consisted ; but in this I have
been unsuccessful, I have not vet been able to
ascertain that any dirsct charges have been made
in legard to myself; but certain insinuations
have been thrown out, and ceitaiu questions
asked, tending to convey the imores e ion that I
have been dishonorably involved in the tiansac-
tion. I have heaid that, the questiou has been
asked as to wht>*he< it was proper for a man io act
as aii attorney tor the Merc?ntile Wharf Corpora-
tion raid at the sam.. time serv« upon a commit-
tee investigating a subject m which that eo r pora-
ti in jvas interested. I have been somewhat in
doubt as to what course I should take in this
matter — whetner to take public notice ot it,
or not. It is a rule of iaw that every
man is presumed to ba innocent until he
is proveo to be guiltv; but, unfortunately,
a yoition of the uublic are so uncharitable in their
judgment ot men in offici ,1 positions, that as soon
as an intimation or an insinuation is made io le-
gaid to them, they are very apt co assume at once
thaE there is some truth m the insinuations uiPil
the party assailed has proved the contrary. Now,
sir, I have been a member of f his Government for
three years, and this is the first time that anv im-
putation upon my official honor has ever come to
my knowledge. My reputation, sir, is valuable to
me; it is about the only capital 1 have
in the world, and whatever course L shall
see fit to pursue heieafter, if auy more
attacks are made upon me, iu this ca-e 1 piopose
to meet them upon the threshold. 1 propose to
make my statement here and now, instead of
wailing till a committee shall have been appoiot-
ed and maae a report; for then no man caa say
that I waited aud soaped my statement according
to the facts which the committee may hav- ascei-
tained. When tbe proposed lease ot the Mercan-
tile-whait property first came before the Council,
I became interested in it and studied it, as I have
always made it my purpose to r/o in regard to
every important question coming before the Gov-
ernment. I read the two reports ou the subject of
"Fiee Markets" made Id past years, ?nd
the histoiy of Faneuil Hall Market as given
in Quincy's History of Boston; I talked
with various gentlemen in regaid to it, became
convinced that it was a matter of impoitance, and
when tbe .nrbjecc came to this Council I offered
an order for a special committee to i lvestigate it ;
and, in accordance with custom, I was appointee?
cnairman of the committee. We made along,
thorough and patient investigation, and tae result
was that I joined others in maKing a majority
ieport to favor of the establishment ot the vegeta-
ble market upon the grounds ot the Mercantile
Wharf Corporation. Now, some peeple may sup-
pose that b>- cause I favoieu that measure, joined
in the report and advocated it in the Council,
I must have had some pi ivate, personal interest
in the matter. In regard to tbe ic sin uatioo that
I was employed or retained as an attorney tor the
Mercantile Whaif Coiporatiou, 1 des're to say
that ff-ver iu my life wa* I employed, retained or
paid by that corporation, or by anv person known
by me to be an < fflcer or stockholder theiein.or
by any one known by m- to be iu any other re-
spect interested in me company ; aud I n-ver re-
ceived from that corporation, oi from any person
interested in it, a cent of inon»s,v as an attorney's
fee, a oresent, or a gratuity. Furthermore,
I understand that insinuations have been
made that I received something from par-
ties in Faneuil Hall Market; and in reply to
that, I desire to say that I nevei acted as attorney
for any one in that market, or for any other per-
son or" narty in connection with this transaction,
and n- ver received from any such peison or party
anyjattornev's fee, present, gr tuity, or anything
of the kind, whatsoever. Furtnsr than this; it
iuhv be said I had client* who were interested in
this matter, and, therefore, I favored it to please
my clients. It i* fortunate for me that I am able
to state that from the time when cbis subject was
fitst broached in the City Government oown to
the present hour, I never acted in any matter
whatsoever as s.ttornev fo r any persoo or
party known or supposed by me to be in-
terested io this matter, and I never ieceiv<-d from
any such person or party any fee, present or gra-
tuity whatever. Now, it anv gentleman can sug-
gest to me any form of words in which I may
more clearly and unqualifi dly and emphatically
disclaim any connection whatsoever with this
matter in the least reflecting upon my honor as a
member ot : his body, I will thank nim io do so
now and bete, and I agree in advance to adopt his
word'* as my own. I make these statements pub-
licly upon my honor as a man and as a member of
this body, and if a committee is appointed I pro
pose, if need be-, to go before them and make the
69
co m m on cor n CI r.
same statements upon inv oath ; an'i I aefj any man
in I hi- Council or ( Ise where to disprove on word
I have said, or piove that there la one gram ol
truth in the Insinuations which have been made.
Now, I think it is proper Co call attention to the
time when these stories i<i relation to me were
first started. This vegetable-market matter was
settled in.) ill vol last year; I heard Dothli g Of tb 88
insinuations then, and during the remainder of
the ye r l tailed to hear of any par sop saving
anything in regard to the matter that would re-
Meet upon me. I had th" honor, last fall, to be a
candidate, for tbt fifth time, for seat in this body;
I had the honor to reee,\e, both iu the caucus and
at the polls, a vote ••inch was vciy flattering to
my pride, and 1 think it any story of this
kind had been in circulation then, the people in
my waul would have heard it, ana it would have
reaehed my ears. I was elected to the Council,
came here upon the first da* ot the year, and re-
ceived, as one of the most acceptable New Yeai's
gifts that could have bee - ! bestowed upon me, a
una unions nomination for the office of President,
which was ratified on the following Monday by a
unanimous election. If anv such story had
been m circulation before lo^t tirre, I am
sure— if any of the members of the Council
had known of v— it would have been u=ed
against me; but tiot until after that
was the fi'Si insinuation against me made. I
make no comim nt upon the time wbnn this story
was first started, but leave 'he Council and the
public to (haw trteir own inferences. 1 hone this
resolution will oass a ui uiar the committee will
be appointed. lam willing to trust the c se in
the hands of the five members ot this Council who
are most opposed to me, and I hope that nothing
will be covered up or whitewashed, and I have no
fears of the result.
Mr. Morrison of Ward 11— As a member ot the
Speci: 1 Committee on the lease of the Mercantile
wnaif, I would simply state that I am perfectly
willing and very anxious that this committee
should be appointed, and a tborou<rb investiga-
tion bad.
Mr. Flynn — I have offered the order iu good
faith, and 1 think a inajonry of the members of
4he Council will concur in ic, on account of the
statements made throughout the city in relation
to the charges which have been prefeired by the
gentleman f torn Ward 21 [Mr. Parker] as against a
member from Ward 12 I'Mr. Shawj, and the otner
statements which have appeared in the papers ; and,
sir, 1 offer it also for the leason that the President
of this Council was charged. and is charged today,
with going to the President ©f last year's Council
and asking as a special favor that he be appointed
chaiiman of that committee. He did that; he
wont deny that he did go to the President ot last
year's Council and ask as a special favor t oat he
be placed as chairmat upon the Special Commit-
tee oo the Vf!->: table Market. He was placan theie,
and he took occasion to urge this matter; and when
he knew he coulo n't get trie requisite vocss to
put it through here, he waiteo, ana almost
iu the ovinti hours of the Council he forced it
tn.oitgh. I make these charges publicly, so that
ne may be able to ceny them if be can. I make
the statement nere that he did go to the Presi-
dent of last year's Council, and ask to be placed
upon that committee as chairman.
Mr. Brackett — Io reply to the c tateni<-nt which
has been made by the gentleman from Ward 13, I
do deny that I went to the President of last year's
Council and asked as a special favor to be plac-d
upon that com mtt -e. 1 did have occasion, after
making the motion foi the appointment ol the
committee, tnd ./Idle it vas uuch-r discussioj, to
go to the President to make a suggestion on an-
other matter, and, while conversing with me, he
said, •'! suopose, you v ould like to go upon the
committee, would n't you?" and I answered him
frankly that I would, but I did n't ask him to ap-
point me.
Mr. Pevcreux of Ward 4 — As a member ot that
committee of investigation into the merits
of the two markets, it was my fortune, or
misfortune, to find myself differing ;rom
the otner members of the committee in
m*kiug the report; hut, sir, I can truly bear wit-
ness that every member of that committee used
every possible means, to mv mind, to make a
thorough search and complete investigation into
the merits of thxt subject. I did say then, and I
have no hesitation in saying now what I said then,
that 1 believed it to be a swindle, and 1 believe it
to be a swindle today. I was individually alone
upou that question; but, sir, I believe that eveiy
membt r ol th t committee use-, the best rni an> at
bis command to get at all the Information where-
by they might all get at a proper solution ol that
vexed subject. I earnestly nope, sir, that the
committee will be appointed ; let them dive down
deep, and let us hava an entirely thorough Inves-
tigation.
Mr. (iuil l of Ward !)— 1 am very glad thai Un-
order has been offered \\ '- sir in-ro t- me i
of a body which is su ipos^d to be compos d ot
honorable mei ; and it seems to me that
there i a very plait, duty to our constit-
uents to perform, in the appointment of
t'oi- committee. We find charges, pub-
lished over oath if the ( ailv i.eu spapers,
made bv our me eher of th- Council arain-t an-
other, of bribery and corruption, which, if mie,
would not penult us, a* men, to sir for one mo-
ment on committees wi'h that man as a fellow
member; and, if untrue, the individual brinelng
tiem forward should be promptly expelled for
defamation ot character. Now, sii , I am well
aware that in political lite, be you pure as -now
and ctaaste as ice, you shall not escape calumny."
No matter bow ho est a man mavb-; no matter
how high his purpose; no matter ho« r honorable
ins i osition, thar-. ..re always some little me-> who
delight to throw mud at those who stand, statue-
like, high above them, in positions thev envy but
cannot approach; and ir that be so here, let 'hem
be exposed. Whe this investigation comes, let
tne blame be put w r h«"re it belongs; let it rest upon
those whom it is hinted are dishonest if it be
proven a fact, or upon those who throw out these
insinuations; who prompt these shudder-shrugs;
who ask these netty questions designed to stain a
man's character, but which pass off from the pure
and bonestlike a breach from a spotless mirror— let
the blame rest upon then , where it belongs. Any
cheap fugleman ofasrual' politician nay e sily
start such slui sand circulate tbeinarouna,in order
to blacken the character of on° whom he Knows
he is not able to approach m purity ; and if it is
proved that these slanders are so circulated,
let us at once stamp them upou those who
prompted them the seal of opprcbium, and
send the offender forth. I don't know that
any diiect charge has been made, except the
on Q which I am sorry to see has been published;
but there have been innuendoes; it has b-en
hinted thatpersonsin high places have been gudty.
I have seen httla, dirty innuendoes thar, have
found their way into newspapers, perhaps escap-
ing editorial supervision, "it is no new thing un-
wise paragraphs iu past years have crent into
papers wiin which I have been connected, before I
had tht opportunity to stifle them ; autl I "lave bsen
sorry to s^e them now, for the charge uhonld be
made direct. I cannot -eettatany cbarg". has been
made again -t the President of the Common Coun-
cil ; bur. you know there is a saying that a lie will
travel thirty miles wbi'e truth is putting on its
seven-leagued boots, and it does seem to me that
for tne honor aod integrity of every one cf us,
we should stamp this with the Stamp I hat belongs
to it, whether it be slander, or whether it be cor-
ruption. We ars coming back — and I am glad to
see it— to the tin:*-, of common honest r. The days
of Tweed, Jim Fisk and ct id genus omne are
fading awav. We see it in every failure that comes
up. Wh-u men offer to pay twenty cents on the
dollar, and go on doing bu-ii.es-, they are sharp-
ly questionetl as to what they have done
with tnsir money. Men have got to no business
in a more houest manner. Pretention ana shams
must go to the wall, and they may just as well go
to the wall in th' Common Council as any*heTe
else, and we m y just as well show backbone hera
now as at any other time. We need backbone and
honesty in the city of Boston just as mucu as it is
needed in any other city. This city, which
has in oast time , beeu ' the home of hon-
esty, should be one of the first to
welcome its return. Therefore, wheu this in-
vestigation is biougbt forw.rd, 1 hope it will be
full, and as clear, and open as the clay ; that
no legal quibbles sbaP check a man trom
expiessing himself fully and freely. Notv, sir,
it ' has become the custom that when
a man in a legislative assembly endeavors
to express himself freelv and* honorably,
he is met on every side by pailiameLtary i ules
aud tricks ; a certain set of men who set
themselves tin iu parliamentary rules and meth-
ods of procedure, by their dexterous twists and
skillful use of parliamentary ralas prevent a fair
expression, so that you cannot heai my one speak
hij hoQest sentiments.
FEBRUARY 3 0, 1876.
70
Now, sir, whsn this investigation com^s, I hope
every man who cesires to speak will be allow-
ed to do m, and not be prevented by le-
gal or pailiamentary quibbles; ant) it we rind
any one guilt v of corruption, whether it be
the humblest member of the Ooureil, or he
who sits id the ch>.u you uow occupy, let
him be stamped with the stamp that belongs to
him, whether pure honesty, or infamy, the gen-
tleman says his reputation is about r»is only capi-
tal. Yes sir. '-the purest treasure mortal times
affords is spotless repuratioD, that away men are
but gilded lo- in oroaiored clay."
Mr. Peabody--With regard to the remark tbat
the Me. rem tile- wharf matter was forced through
in the dyi' g hours of the Council, 1 woulo state
that it was passed on the 8th of Ju'y, and the
Council adjourned for the manner on the 15th.
Thai s-eeins to have been a pretty natural time for
the subject ro have been acted upon and settled
before the summer vacation ; but certainly it
could not have been called th , dying hours of the
Council.
Mr. Flynn — I nave n't betore me the min ites of
the proceedings of the Coun il at that tun?, but
if the gentlemao will lecall to his recollection the
facu that there was an additional appropriation
of f 8300, be will find that about the latter part of
the dtiog hours of tbf session of the Council, every
oppm trinity was watched night after night, by the
gentleman fiom Ward 10 [Mr. Rrackett] ana the
other geutl; man fiom W*rd 10 ] Mr. Sainpsonj so
as to carry ttttnough; fthiuk my sta.ementi« true
solar as thit w<ts concerned. It laid over weeks
ana weeks here, before they were able to get an
appropriation through toe Council to fill up that
big bole in th? whart.
Mi, Peabody— The rilling up cf that hole was
not * tiling that required any manceuvriiii what-
ever. It happened that after the property was
leased by the city it was oiscoverec, and we were
inrorued, that a part of the w hart had been left
unfilled. There nad been a fraud committed by
some nersoos who had previously carted dirt down
there, and the Mercantile Wharf Corporation had
maid the citj as if it bad been filled; so the city
was obliged to fill it up. The cost was §6000, I
think — if my memory serves me aught— but it
was a thirig thai had to be dore, and there was no
neea of any •uanceuvrmg to pin it through.
Mr. Mo i risoii— The gentleman from Ward 13 is
right in retraid to tsat additional appropriation
lying over some four weeks; but it is a fact— end
gentlemen w II re< o'lect, when I call attention to
it — that lor four or five weeks, about that time,
there, were not sufficient membets of the Council
pieseor to pass any appropriation lequuing a
two-thirds vote, and consequently it had to lie
over from that cause.
The resolve and order were passed, and the
Chair appointed as said committee Messrs. May of
Ward 24. Pope of Ward 15, Tutt'e ui Waid 16,
Adams of Ward 5 and Pearl of Ward 1.
The President m the i hair.
Subsequently Mr. Tuttle ot Ward 16 asked to be
excused from serving, and the President ippoint-
ed Mr. Flynn of "Ward 13 in his piace.
PAPERS FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Petitions w^re referred in concurrence, nd
sundry repoits of city officers were placed on file.
Reference to Committee on Streets of r, ;esolve
and onler for vvid mug Portland street, at an ad-
judged expejse of $17,582. Concurred.
Report of the Committee on Overseer^ of the
Poor, i hat the section of the ordinance relating to
the care and investment of property intrusted to
said overseers has been complie ) with, and that
the total amouut of rbe trust funds is §492,716.22.
Accepted in concurrence.
Report leave to withora- on petition of E. L.
Frcthinghani for remissiou of tax ou No. 8 Gar-
land street. Accepted in concurrence.
Report and order to extend to Feb. 1, 1877, the
time for buddire apou ot No. 7, East Fourth
street, on the terms ana conditions sei forth in
said order; report ana order to change to restric-
tions the conditio, s imposed bv Che deed given to
Uriah Cotting, of ceitaiu land on Washington
aad East Newton streets. Orders read twice aotl
passed in concurrence.
An ordinance to amend au ordinance concern-
ing the ass- ssrnent and collecion of taxes.
Mr. Crockei of Ward 9—1 believe this ordinance
has never been b-fore the Committee ouOidi-
nances, nor do we kcow officially that it has been
before any committee. Now, t is supposed to be
the business of the Committee on Ordinances to
consider all ordinances before they are finally
pas«ed upon by the Ci.y Gove rnment. I don't
know what the effect ot this ordinance is, or
whether it is properly crawn or not; and il seems
that a due regard tor having things correct should
induce the Council to r j fer it to that committee.
I thereloie move that it ber:ferieu to the Com
mittee on Ordnarces.
Mr. Gray of Ward 14 — Perhaps I can make a lit-
tle explanation that will satisfy the Committee on
Ordinances. I'hat ordinance originated in the
Committee on Assessors' Department. It was re-
ferred to a sub-commitfee, who consulted with
the City Solicitor, and the ordinance was dra*n
by him. The object is to reduce the expenses of
that tepar'ment, and it will save some $13,530.
It does away with the necessity of the Second
Assistant Assessors in the Dooming Board. It pro-
vie as that the Second Assistants shall go on the
stteet with the First Assistants, bat they are not
required to serve in the Dooming Boarc. It saves
$350 apiece for the thirty-tin ee Second Assist-
ants ; and $60 apiece for the six days each one is
required to <eiv£ on the Revising Board, it was
unanimously approved by the committee, and
every one I have talked with rhmks it is --, saving
we cau easily make, and th t the Assessors' De-
partment will be fully as efficient a-* at present
constituted, if not n ore so. The reference to the
Commit' ee on Oidinances « ras brought up in the
Committee on Assessors' Department, but some
of tin members in the other branch talked with
members of the Ordinance Committee of that
branch, and they were sati?fiecl to have it go
through that Board, on account of its corning
from the City Solicitor and the necessity of hav-
mg it immeniately passed upon, because we have
got to take up the election of assessors immedi-
ately.
Mr. Crocker — I know nothing about the ordi-
nance, and I have no reason to ooubt that its pur-
poses will oe good; but it hardly seems to be ad-
visable, unless there is some extraordinary emer-
gercy in this cas?, to put it through without let-
ting it take th° ordinary course of a reference to
the Committee on Ordinances. It don't .- ppear to
have come from any committee: it was introduced
in the Board of Aldermen by an individual mem-
ber, ana appaiently uoboay, except aim is respon-
sible for it. Although there may have been cer-
tain consultations between the pa> ties and with
the City Solicitor, the thing may have been misun-
derstooa. The City Solicitor's opinion don't ap-
pear to be in wiiticg; be may have beeu misin-
formed, and perhaps he may Lot, and we don't
know how far it can be relied on. In passing or-
dinances we ought to bs pretty careful, and I still
think it ought to be referred to the cornuoi'tee.
Mr. G. ay— I don't object to its going to the Com-
mittee ou Ordinances if the motion is amended
for t'lem to leport at the next nieetiigof the
Co'ineii.
Mi Crocker accepted the atrendment, and the
ordinaace was referred to the Committee ou Ordi-
nal! es, mth instructions to report at tne next
me ting of the Council.
Sent up.
Repori and order to refund to T. W. Snow's
heirs the faxes upon their peisonal pto^erty for
1874, amounting to $184.08. Ordered to a second
reading.
Re oorr and resolve that it is not expedient to
restrict the use of fireworks, except fire crackers
and serpent*, ui this citv during the piesent cen-
tennial year. Resolve read twice and passed in
conca>rence.
Order for Committee on Common, etc., to con-
fer with toe Governor and Couucil for the convey-
aic- to the city of the parcel • f land on Dart-
mouth and Boy'lston streets, referred to and de-
scribed in chapter 195 of the acts of 1875. Read
twice and passed m con cur cense.
ELECTIONS.
Certificates of electious of city officers were re-
ceived from the other branch and ballots were or-
dered iu each case, with remits as follows:
Member of Cochituate Water Board. Commit-
tee— Mes rs. Beeching of Ward 1, Firth of Ward 16,
J. Doherty ot Ward 7.
Whole number of ballots 66
Necessary to a choice 34
Charles E. Rice had 35
Augustus Parker 31
And Mr. Rice was declared elected in non-concur-
rence.
City Messenger. Committee— Messrs. Kingsbury
of War I 19, Davis of Ward 16, Graham of Ward 20.
71
COMMON COUNCIL,
Whole number of ballots 62
Necessary for a choice / 32
Alvah H. Peters had 61
.lames MugginF 1
And Mr. Ve era wm declaied elected in concur-
rence.
Superintendent of Public Buildings. Commit-
tee— Mes^r. Morrison of Ward 11, Day of Ward 3,
Burke of \V;.r<. _'.
Whole number of ballots 57
Necessary for a choice 29
.lames C. Tucker had 55
John Short 1
Halsey J. Boaraman 1
And Mr. Tucker wao declared elected in concur-
rence.
Superintendent of Sewers. Com tnittee— Messrs.
Pope of Wild 10, Blodgett of Ward 8, Sibley of
Ward 5.
Whole number of votes 51
Necessary for a choice 2b
Henry "W. Wilson had 1
John Short 11
William H.Bradley 35
And Mr. Btadley was declared elected in concur-
rence.
Superintendent of Streets. Committee— Messrs.
Clarke cf Waid 22, ODonuel) • f Ward 7, dishing
of Ward 10.
Whole number of votes 47
Necessary for a choice 24
Pierpont Ea wards had 1
Charles Harris 46
And Mr Harris was declared elected in concur-
rence.
City Solicitor. Committee— Messrs. Pierce of
Ward 24, Jaquts of Ward 11, Ham of Ward 14.
Whole number of votes 48
Necessary to a choice 25
Uriel H. Crocker had 1
Charles E. Pratt 1
George L. Ruffin 4
John P. Healy 42
And Mr. Healy was declared elected in concur-
rence.
City Surveyor. Committee— Messrs. Speucelev
of Ward 19, Kelly ot Ware 3, Felt of W;rd 18.
Whole number of ballots 42
Necessary for a choice 22
Thomas P. Davis 42
And Mr. Davis was declared elected in concur-
rence.
City Architect. Committee— Messrs. done, of
Ward 4, Smarflon of Ward 10, Bnrr of Ware 6.
Whole number of ballots 44
Necessary for a choice 23
George A. Clough 44
And Mr. Clough was declaied elected in concur-
rence.
City Engineer. Committee— Messrc. Devereux
of Ward 4, Shay of Wara 19, Curtis of Waif: 23.
Whole number of ballots 44
Necessarv tor a choice 23
Joseph P. Davis 44
And Mr. Davis was declared elected in concur-
rence.
Water Registrar. Committee — Messrs. Train of
Waid 20, Ruflin of Ward 9, Fraser ot Ward 6.
Whole number of ballots 43
Necessary for a choice 22
William F. Duvis 43
And Mr. Davis was declaied elected in colcui-
re<>ce.
Superintendent of Public Lands. Committee-
Messrs. Robbirs of Wara 2, Taylor of Ward 6,
Walbridge of Waro 15.
Whole number of votes ^s
Necessary for a choice 25
Robert W. Hall 4s
And Mr. Hal' was declared elected in concur-
rence.
Clerk of Committees. Committee— Messrs. Trull
of Ward'5 Ticbvor of Ward 23, Fraser of Ward 6.
Whole number of ballots , 55
Necessary for a choice 28
William IT. Lee had r 55
And Sir. Lee was ceclared elected in concur 1 ence.
Assessors of Taxes. Committee— Messrs. Gray
of Ward 14, Burgess of Ward 8, Stone of Waul 3.
Whole number of ballots 66
Necessary for a choice 34
Nahum Chapin had 1
Edward F. Robinson 2
L. Foster Morse 1
George S. Pendergast 38
Thomas Bancroft 45
Horace Smith 53
Thomas Hills 59
Benjamin Gushing 65
Benjamin F. Palmer 65
And Messrs. Cushing, Palmar, HiUs,'Baucroft and
Smith were decUrec. elected m coopurrsnee.
Superintendents of Bridges. A report came
down nominating superintendents of bridges.
with certificate of election of &aid superintend-
ents. On motion of .Mr. Sibley the rule was -li-
cenced -. nd an eleciiou was ordered. Me- rs.
Sibley ot Ward 5, Pope of Ward 15 and Xewto • of
Waro 21 v-ere the committee to collect and count
votes.
Whole number of ballots 64
Necessary for a choice 33
For Superintendent of Federal-street Bridge.
Jacob Norris 64
For Superintendent of Dover-street Bridge.
Angus Nelson 64
For Superintendent of Chelsea-street Bridge.
toward T. Stowers 64
For Superintendent of Charles Kiver Bridge.
Joel R. Bolan 64
For Superintendent of Warren Bridge.
Charles R. Marple 64
For Superintendent of Maiden Bridge.
John Howard 64
For Superintendent of Broadway Bridge.
John C. Poole ..64
For Superintendent of Mt. Washington-avenue Bridge.
George H. Davis 50
Ira C. Masterson 13
R. M. Foss 1
For S'iperinteudent of Meridian-street Bridge.
Reuben B. Wendell 64
For Superintendent of Congress-street Bridge.
Matthew J. Callahan 41
John B. Royce 23
Aud Messrs. Nonis, Nelson, Stowers, Bolan, Mar-
ple, Howard, 1'ooie, Davis, Wendell aud Callahan
were declared elected in encurreoce.
Superintendent of Public Grounds. A report
came down nominating John Galvin for Superin-
tendent of Public Grounds, and certificate of
election of said superintendent.
Mr. Train of Ward 20 moved a suspension of the
rule.
Mr. Peabody thought there had been ;.s many
elections as the Council had an appetite fot, and
hoped it would lie over.
Mr. Train merely desired to clear up the list.
The rule vas suspended and an election or-
dered.
Committee— Messrs. Train of Waro 20, Blan-
cha'd of Ward 21. Gragg of Ward 22.
Whole number of votes 65
Necessary for a choice 34
John Galvin bad 41
Augustus Peabody Calder 15
Henry A. May 7
Ernest W. Bowditch 2
John Galvin 6
And Mr. Galvin was declared elected in concur-
rence.
VOTERS IN THE NEW WARDS.
The order that the City Clerk procure rrcm tne
censors of 1875 the number or voters and also tbe
population in the several wards as now constitut-
ed, in compliance with tne order of the Legisla-
ture, came up as unfinished business, -md was
passed in concurrence.
SQUARE ON COMMONWEALTH AVENDE.
The order to auto onze a transfer from the Re-
served Fund, $8000, to constitute a special appro-
priation for giaoing, curbing and fencing the
square on Commoowt-alra avenue, between Fair-
field ani Gloucester streets, came up as minn-
isheo busine-s.
Mr. Jaqnes <f Ward 11— At tbe last meeting,
when this oider was read for the fiist time, I
called the attention ot tbe Coutcil to it, not iron
auy wish to oppose ir, but that members
might judge whether the ornamentation of
that square was necessary at the present
time, when we are trying t) save money
in every way. I have come to the con-
clusion tbat it will be a proper and most judicious
measure to adopt, if we could cut the appropria-
tion down to, say, about $5000, in order that the
street may be graded and put in proper condition
for travel", as it bas beeu accepted by tbe city and
extended down to West Chester prk, which is to
be finished as soon as possible. Tbeu again, it is
desirable that the young trees, which are to be
placed there, in conformity to the rest of the
squares, should be -et out a- soon as po-sible. I
therefore move that the amount be reduced to
$5000 instead of $8000.
Tbe amendment was adopted.
Mr. Morrison of Ward 11— I see on the pro-
gtamm- heie tbat it provides for the fencing ot
the square, and I move that that provision be
FEBRUARY 10, lb7fi.
72
stncken out, sr> that it shall be for grading and
curbing: the square.
Mi. Gray ot Ward 14— Does tbat order come
from any committee?
The President— It came from the Committee on
Finance.
Mr, Monison's amendment was adopted.
Mr. Sp<jnceley of Ward 19—1 con't lrr.ow how
many gentlemen rf the Common Council have
been over in that part of the citv to view tha part
of the square toey intend to curb a.id fence; but
1 am able to stats fiom personal observation that
the |square has alieadv been curbed and fenced
beyona any buildings, and it seein« to me that it
is almost useless to spend morcv there before it is
called for. If gentlemeu of the Council should
go over that *ay and loot at this matter tor them-
selves I think this order would be cefeated. 1
move that it be indefinitely postponed.
Mr. Jaques — I thi k if gentlemen would ex-
amine the subject more thoroughly they would
hardly come to that conclusion. The street is in
such a condition that it certainly ought to be
graded aad rend-red fit for public travel ; and
beyoad that, anythiua in the wa.y of mere orna-
mentation might wait. 1 have been informed —
and if it is not so, I musthavs been misinformed
—that the street has been accepted by the ciry ; in
t^at case, it an accident happens, .vbile the street
is in its present con'tiiion, the city will b: j . liable for
damages. Contracts ba'e been give l out for bridges
over West Chester park extended, am' that '■trc-et
is to be completed forthwith; an. if Common-
wealth avenue— which is partly giaded where it
joina West Chester-park street— is not finished,
it will leave tuat whole section in a ver, unsatis-
factory condition, lam informed by gentlemen
who own land adjoining, that they propose to put
it into the market as soou as the street is graded,
and sell it for what it will bi'ng, in order to en-
courage building there. In that eise, if houses
aie erected it will be. an advantage to the city of
Boston io the way of Laxes. I hope the measure
will not be indefinitely postponed.
Mir. Clarke of W aid 23—1 hope this order will
pass. It is very important to have the ground
graded and soddea, wid the trees planted. The
growing of trees jj a very slow process, aud it is
very important that the avenue should b^ com-
pleted as the rest of it has been. Furih>-rwoie,
the high' winds that blow aoror.s that te>rnory
will cause great damage to the citv, to. blowing
f ravel off that street, unless the square is laid out.
he square protects the street, so that the gravel
remains there. I am satisfied we should lose
more than the amount of the approp nation by
the blowing away of the gravel.
Mr. Guild ot Ward 9— When thi« matter was
brought up last year there was some question
about Water Po wer rights, and as one member of
the Committee on Common and Squares I took
occasion to oppose the extension of th <se squares
to trie utmost end pi oposed ; but now, sir, troni my
n?/n examination of the subject, I must coincide
with the la^t two gentlemen -woo have spoken.
There is, sir, a necessity for grading the street,
that the city may not be liable for damages. Tne
street has been accepted oy the city, and if this
square is put in fairly preventable conditio , with
as little expenditure as possible, it will tend to
b.ioi taxable property into the market.
Fuitherinore, this is no new appro' nation of
money. The people hav- jlreaoy be en taxed, aud
the money nas been taid aside, for tuis specific
purpose; and although we did not use it last year,
for tne reasons I have given, and because the dif-
ficulties lefened to were not settled uo til ?o late
m tue season, that Mr.Galvin didn't attemottogo
to oik upon it, and it D5,s laid over until now. It is
very fortunate ihat it is so, because th-. wor<t can
be done at a very much less rate. It is uecessary
to commence the grading very early in ths season,
that the giound may settle auo that the worn may
be properly and thoroughly done. Therefore, it
seems to me to De a matter ot necessity. No dec-
oration or ornamentation, but simply die necessa-
ry repairs on the str-et, aie io be done.
Mr. Gray of Ward 14—1 don't kuo^ tiat I an 1 in
favor ot the motion to indefinitely postpone; b'lt
certainly I think it 7/ould b^ well io refer the ol-
der to some committse. It seems that we are
working in the dark. One member moves to
make Hie sum |5000, and we have no kno'iedge
thft that amount will grade and cuib the square,
for the oiiginal order was for $8000; aud how do we
know that $5000 will accomplish what is intend-
ed? It would be proper, I think, to refer it to the
Committee on Comuiou and Squares.
Mi. Spenceley— As I iead the ordei it refers to
only a part of the stieet. 1 rodr. over the ground
the othei day, and I did n't see anything very
dangerous. It has been graded dowik to KXdter
and Fairfield streets, and there ir not a house be-
tween them. I have no doubt the abutters on
that lana would like to have us spend xoneyin
order tbat they may sell theic land. I notice that
there are no gas or water pipes tncre. and for
gentlemen to come here, this year, and aok for an
approptiation to carry out that square before
these other linpiovetnents have been made, is
simply ridiculou?. I think we can postpone it
with satisfaction to ourselves and spend the
money in other parts of the city where it is more
needed.
Mr. Guild— We don'r generally lay gas and
water pipes ahead or improvements; but we make
the improvements first. The new streets and
biidges have been laid over this territoiy with the
view of a prospective absolute need for taem. At
the tart session I was to a certain degree an oooo-
nent of the carrying of that squate a y further,
and I had the pleasure ot being infor ted by some
gentlemen from that district that I hai really en-
dangered my reelection to rms body by so doing,
which did n't frighten le at al , because I think if
that had been the case I should tiave opposed it still
more. It has been befoie the Committee on Com-
mon, discussed pro and con, right and left, and we
artfully agreed npoa it. I thinV- I speak the
mind of the Committee on Con moo wheti I say
this thing should be done. We first started by
paying $11,000 for gradtug and fencing those
squares; now tbey are uonf. for $3000 less, and I
think $5000 would be abundant for grading and
curoing this one. It has also bee.* bffore the
Finance Committee, and they were almost
unanimous in recommending ihe transfer of
this money— tor which the people have been
taxed, and which is no new appiopriatiou — to
carry out an improvement that has been project-
ed for many years.
Mr. Peaboay of W«rd 11— One point in favor of
allowing this to be done now, has not been touch-
ed noon; and that is the fact that almost all of
this $5000 will be dispensed in the employment of
labor. In the present state of busines:* there is
so much iineai ployed labor, that it. seemed to the
Finance Committee to be quite an important point
in this matter, that it gave the city an opportunity
to employ men who might otherwise perhaps be
out of work, and who by this meats would be able
to get an honest subsistence for their families,
and who, without such employment, would be
obliged to resort to either public or private chari-
ty. You will observe that the '-fencing" beius
stricken out, tne whole appropriation of $5000 will
be trr labor. That point had quite an influence
with ibe Committee on Finance in inducing them
to iecommf-cd the measure.
Mr. Clarke— Next spring fher-* will be a large
travel over tuat avenue. In the summer season
Beacon stieet is very crowded, and consequently
a very large amourt of travel can be turned upon
this avenue. I think, as a mt tter of necessity, a
portion ot that avenue ought to be completed for
travel alone it for nothing e'se.
Mr. Spenceley— The grntleman trom W;rd 11
[Mr. Peabody] said it «*as on account of giving la-
borers work. No genttemau in this Council would
go further in appropriating money to give our
poor laborer worn than I will ; but I tnink this
mo c ev can be better expend d in other portions
of the city. I don't know but this money can be
transferred to some better object than Com-
monwealth avonue. The only question in
my mind, is, is it feasible for us to do it nov; ; and
I say net. I don't think it is going tobeagrtat
thoroughfare soon; I don't think it will be tor
som » years, as busines- is now. I don't
think people want to drive over l*. I
was over there some days ago, and I did
did n't see a man, a horse, or anything of the
kind. The squares are already extended beyond
the bouse > ; there is no Pale for land there, and I
don't think there will lie tor some yeau ; thoug-h I
hope to see it all built up. I should be glad to
appropriate money as fa.tas the building there
demands it; but I say it is not there now.
The motion to indefinitely postpone was lost.
The yeas and uays were called, and the order
was lost for lack ot a t*o-thirds vote:
Yeas— Messrs, Adams, Barr, Beeching, Blancb-
ard, Burgi-ss, Clarke. Crocker, Curtis, Cushioa,
Davis, Deveteux, 1). Doherty, J. Doherty, Felt,
Firth, Fly an, Fraser, Giagg, Guild, Howes,
Jaques, kiigsbury, Lappen, May, Monison
73
COMMON COUNCIL
O'DonaeU, Osborne, Parker, Peabody, .J. H.
Pierce, is. n jamio Pope, Ricbard Pop . Klce,
Baffin, Sampson, sh w, Sibley, Smardon, Sprague,
Stone, 8m eetser, w iltiam Taj Id , Ticknor, turtle,
Waibrtage, Wlllcutl — 16.
Nav«— Me Brs. tsiodgect, Burke, Day, G-rabam,
Gray, Ham, Jones, K-Hry, Morrill, Shepard,
Snenceley, a. H.Tayl.»r, Train, Ti nil- 14.
Aii-nii in not v ■ ■ t i i> u" — .Mess: -.. Fitzpatiick, Ball,
Loricg, Mullen. Newton, Pearl, O. H. I'ierce,
Robbios, Snaw, Webster, Woodbury— 9.
FIRES AMI ALAKMS.
A repoit was receiv il from ti.c Flic Coniiais-
sioners of tbe number and eharacter of the fires
in January. Sent up
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
By Mr. Kingsbury of Wa<d 19— Petition of Jobn
11. Patiee for le^.ve to °tect a wooden building ou
Harris's court. Ward 4.
Referred to Joirt Committee on Survey an;] In-
spection oi Building}.
James W. Pickering to be paid for damages
caused by interrupted drainage of his estate on
Havre street.
Referred to Joint Committee on Claims.
By Mr. Gray of ward 14 — Petition of Hugh W.
Bi own lor a change of the local assessors of Ward
21.
Referred to Joint Committee on Assessors' De-
partment.
Petition ..i Join Wallace to be compensated for
injury snstaii ed by his wife from a tall in Lowell
street.
Referred to Joint Committee on Claims.
Bv Mr. B'odgett of Ward 8— Petition of
Clark 15. Wood et al., for a bath-house at the foot
of Leverett street.
Referred to Joint Committee on Bathing.
Severally s ut up.
HOSTON WATER BOARD.
Mi. Svveetser of Waul 17 submitted tbe follow-
ing :
The Joint Standing Committee oj Water to
whom was refetied so much of tha Mayor's ad-
dress as relates to tbe reorganization oi tha Water
Depart nent, having carefully considered the sub-
ject would respectfully repoit a« follows:
While some members of the committee are op-
posed io tbe naical changes in relatiou to placing
nearly eveiy department of the City Government
under a paid commission, as propos- d by tbe new
charter "now under consideration, y-t ibe com-
mittee unanimously recognized tbe fact that tbe
onerous and highly responsible duties which nat-
urally devolve upon the persons wbo Dave charge
of the Water Department should be discharged
by a paid board wbo v»ill give their whole time,
undivided attention and energy to those duties.
When the magnitude ot the work in connection
with the a ditional supnly of wan from Sud-
bury River, involvu g an expense of nearly $5,-
000,000, the number and amounts oi the e >n tracts
and tbe very impoitata subject of land and mill
damages are cousiaered, ¥our committee sub-
mit that there can no longer b- a question as to
tbe expediency of immediately placing the Water
Department in strong, responsible nut. competent
bands. The construction of tbe proposed sewer
in me Mystic Valley will a'so prove a large under-
taking, and careful and skilful management will
be require I for its satisfactory completion, fhe
changv which the committee propose meets with
the nparoval of both the Cochituate and Mysric
watei boards.
Without further going into (be merits of this
question, which has been so fully discussed by the
City Governments of 1874 and 1875, your com-
mittee would respectfully recorn.nei d the pas-
sage of the accompanying ordinance, .Inch pro-
vides foi the union of tbe Cochituate and Mystic
water boards under a paid boa.O to consist of
three ner.-ons, as =Airhorized by chapter 80 of the
acts of tbe Legislature of 1875.
The ordinance is substantially the same as that
recommended by the Committee on Water on the
10th of April, 1874, w'"ich was carefully prepared
and which guards and limits the poweis vested in
the board, and enables the City Council, at all
times, to exercise a wise and careful supervision
over their action.
Certain amendments hive been made in ue
section relating to the receiving of bids aud the
letting ot contracts, io oroer to conform to the
terms and forms of contracts, now txistii g, tor
the construction of the works necessary for the
introduction of tbe Sudbury River supply, made
by the Cochituate Water Board, acting under the
aut'joriu of the City Council.
It is provided tbat th ■. confirmation by the City
Council et raeh member of the Water JSoarj, ap-
pointed b\ the Mayor, shall be decided by vote
taken by ballot.
it th. proposed ordinance me a vim the ap-
pioval or i bi City Council the powers and duties
now exercised by the Cocbiiuate and Mystic
warer boards will terminate on tbe 30th ol April,
the close > f tb • present hnatoial year, except that
it is provided thai each board so li submit its
annual repoit for the year ending on tait date, as
required by existing ordinances.
Ki- in ctfuily submitted,
S. is. Stebbins.
John i. (i.aiik.
A. O. BlGBXOW.
John Sweetseb.
GEOBGE A. Shaw.
Mahikllis DAT.
John W. Fhaser.
RlCHABD BBECHDTO.
Committee on Wa.er.
An Ordinance
To Establish th- Boston Water Board.
Be it Ordained, by theAdermei antl Comae on
Council of the Ci yif Boston, ir Cuv Council
assembled, as fo lows:
Sect'o i 1. In the month of A ill, in the year
1876, or as Mjon t'.iereafte. as may be, the Mayor
shall appoint, subject to the approval antl con-
tirmat oe oi the Citv Council, by v. te taken
by s« parate ballot on each name, tnree persons to
constitute the Bo ton Water Board. One neinber
of s id board • bad ba appointso to holo ins office
mini the first Moiday in May, in thp year 1876;
ont until t lie first Moxliy in May, in the year
1878; and one ut til tht nV-t Monday in M^y, in tbe
year 1*79. In tbe mo^th of April, i . the year 1877,
antl thereafterward« annually in the mouth of
Apiil, tbe Mayo; stall appoint, suoject to like
confirmation and approval, one person to he a
member of sai < Water Board lor thet-rm of ihree
year* from the first Moua - y ot the following May.
The persons, so appointed shall devote their time
to the duties of the office, and shall not actively
engage io ,;.ny other business. Any member of
said boaid shall, at any time, be subject to re-
moval by the Mayor, with the consent of the City
Council; and all vacancies occurring in said
board, from ar y cause, shall be filler, iu the same
manner iu which the original appointments are
herein directed to oe made. For their services
the members of said boa'd sha'l receive such com-
penatioj as the; City Council may from time to
time determius.
Sect. 2. The three members of said board first
appointed shall meet antl organize forthwith by
the choice of one of then tneubsrs a; chairman;
and annually tbereafterwards the said boaid shall
organize on the firsr Monday in May. They shall
chuose a clerer, vho shall not be a member ot tbe
board: and tbev sh°ll make such rules and regula-
tions for their own government, and for iht gov-
ernment of all suboidioate officers appointed by
them, as tbey may deem expedieut. The board
shall report its doings under this section ro the
City Council.
Sect. 3. The Boston Water Board, as hereby
coLStituted, shall have and exercise all the
powers vested in, aud shall perforin all the duties
prescribed to tne Cocnituate Water Board and
the Mystic Water Board by statutes antl ordi-
nances now in loice, subject, however, to the
authority ot the City Council, from time to fine,
by ordinances, orders or resolutions, to instruct
said board, aid so change and limit its powers;
anc. said board shall have power to appoint such
subordinate officers, agents and assistaots, in ad-
dition to ti e engineer and water registrar el-cted
by the Citv CouLCil, as they may deem necessary,
auo may fix their compensation and the compen-
sation of the clerk before mentioned, provided
ttat the expenditures iccurred by said board shall
not exceed in the aggregate tbe sums previously
appropriated or authorized by tbe City Council
for the care and miinte. ance, or for ibe repair
and ei. larsremtnt of the water works. And pro-
vided also that said board shall report Its doings
under tnis section to tbe City Council; and tb6
City Cou cil may con ect, change and supervise
them.
Sect. 4. The account t.f expenses and tevenue
of the Mystic Water Woiks shall be kept separate
and distinct from the other accounts ot the Water
Department; and the excess, if anv, or revenue
over expenditure and interest on loans shall be
FEBRUARY 10, 1*76
74,
paid to the Sicking Fu. d Commi:sioueis, for the
redemption of am loans made heretofore or here-
after on account of tbe said Mystic Water Works.
All contracts now existing with tbe Mvstic Water
Board, for the supply of water to other cities and
towns, shall coutinue in force and shall not be
modified or annulled except by an ordei of tbe
Boston Wat r Board, approved by a two- thirds
vote of the City Council.
Sect. 5. Tbe City Engineer shall be rhs engineer
ot the Boston Water Board, and shall, under the
direction of Skid Water Board, have the geneial
su peri tsn dence of all works in the Water De-
partment
Sect. 6. Whenever the said Boston Watei Board
shall advenUe for proposal 5 tor doicg any work
or furnishing any mat rials or supplies for the
water works, plus and specification^ for tbe
woik, and schedul s of the materials or supplies,
shall be placed on file in tbe office ot said board,
or engineer, and shall at all times during office
houts oe open to public i- s,uection.
Notice that '. e said Water Board will receive
proposals for pucb work shall iu all cases be pub-
lished at least five time. -(toe last p uolication to be
not le-s than one ee<r before the opening of tbe
bids), in such newspapers— not le-s than three— of
the city of Boston (aud when the said board may
think it expedient, of other cities), as the said
board may direct; such notice shall state the kind
and escimaced amount of work to be none, or the
materials to be furcisb-d, aul tbe time when to
be done or furnished, and the place where plans
aud specifications may be seen, rbe place where
and the period withiu which the bios *ill be re-
ceived, bacb bid must be signed by the bidder,
and be accompanied witb a bond for such sum,
not less than $500, as the said board may deter-
mine, conditioned for the faithful execution of
the conuaot, with satisfactory sureties for its
performance within the time required by the
advertisement, in case the bid bs accepted ; or in
case the person or persons bidding shall prefer, a
sum ol iuon°y in sucn amount, not less than $500,
as the said board may determine, mav be cepos-
ited with the : aid boar J, in lieu of tbe bono above
mentioned, at d said bond or oeposit shall be for-
feited to the city of Bostou 11 case the bidder
fails to execute the contract within th = tims sptci-
fieo, it it is awarded to him.
The bid and bond, duly signed and sealed, must
be enclosed in a sealed envelope, a. d the bidder
shall vtate his ovn place of • residence, and all
other particulars that the said board may require
in the term,' of the advertisement, fbe bids shall
be opened by tbe president of said board, or tbe
presiding member, and publicly read at th3 office
of said board, in the presence of the majority of
its members, and any bidder who may wish to lie
present, at such day and hour a- may be specified
in the advertisement. A bond, with sureties or
security satrsfactory to the said board, shall iu all
cas°s be required for the faithful performance of
the contract. Contracts made under the provi-
sions of ftis section shall be awarded to the low-
est responsible bidder when the proposals con-
form to the ri quirements ot said board; but tbe
provisions of this section shall not be construed
to prevent tbe board from rejecting anv or all
bids which may be offered under their advertise-
ments.
Sect. 7. Tbe said Boston Water Boar I shall an-
nually, on or before the 15th day of February,
send to the Joint Standing Committee of tbe City
Council on che Water Department s.n estimate in
detail of the approuriatioas required bv said de-
partment during the financial year next ensuing;
and also an estimate of the income from water
rents and other sources. All bills for expendi-
tures trom the appropriations for the Water De-
partment 3 nail be drawn for by tbe Board, ex-
amined by the Auditor of Accounts, and approved
by tbe Committee on Accounts, before they are
paid by the treasurer.
Sect. 8. The said board shall annually, in the
month of May, present to the City Council a re-
port made up to and including, the 30th day of the
preceding April, containing a full and comprehen-
sive statement of the acis of the board during the
yewr, -nd of the condition of the water y-orks, to-
gether with such other information or suggestions
as they may deem proper; and they shall at tte
same time transmit to the City Council reports
from the City Engineer and the Water Registrar.
Sect. 9. There shall be appointed annually, in
the mot tb of January, a joint committee of the
City Council on the Water Department, consisting
of two members of the Board of Aldermen, and
three members of the Common Council. It shall
be ibe duty of said commitiee toexamite as often
as once in each month the records, ac-
counts and conttacts of the Boston Water
Board. All lequ-st" for appiopriations for
said department shall be exami t-d a tl reported
upon by the said committee before they are acted
upon by th City Council.
Sect. 10. Upon the first organization of said
Boston Watei Boa d, as provided in tne second
sectioo of this ordinance, official notice thereof
shall be sent by the President to the Cocbituate
Water Board and tbe Mystic Water Boatd, and,
upon receipt of s-ud notice by said boards, they
shall cease to exerci:e any of the powers, or be
subject to any of the duties — except that of pre-
senting to the Citv Council the annual report of
each board for the year ecdiug Avril 30, 1876, as
now required by existing ordinances — heretofore
vested in tbem,|and shall deliver to the said
Boston Water Bosird all che official books, ac-
counts, maps, deects, records, contracts and pa-
pers in their possession, and also all p-operty of
wha'evei description belonging to the city ol Bos-
ton which has heretofore been under their Crie
and custody.
Sect. 11. All ordinances oi parts of ordinances
inconsistent with this orainpnce are hereby re-
pealed, the repeal to take effect upon tte organi-
zation Lit the Boston Water Board, as herein pro-
vider;. T'ae subordinate officers, assistants and
agents boldins office in tbe Water Department,
by appointment of the Cochituate Water Board
or the Mystic Water Board, shall continue to bold
their offices until tht-ir successors are appointed,
cr they are removed, the present Joint Standing
Committee of the Cicy Council on tbe Water De-
part nienf shall perform the duties provided in tbe
sevecth aud ninth sections, dun eg the temaiuder
of this municipal y°ar, to be pertormeo bv tbe
Joint Standing Committte on the WatarDepatt-
meut.
Passed to a second reading and ordered to be
printe .
INSPECTORS OF ELECTIONS
Mr. May of Ward 24 submitted fbe following
(Ci'\ Doc. 25):
The joint special committee to whom was re-
l erred, among the unfinish jo business of last year,
the draft <;f a new citv ebartei, beg leave to re-
port in pan at this time, that, in their opinion,
additional legislation is required in relation to
ward officers; and in order t' at the subject may
be brought before the Legislature at its present
session, they would respectfully recommend the
passage of "the followiog order. For the com-
mittee, J. Wilder Mav.
Ordered, That his Honoi the Mayor be request-
ed to petition the General Court for the passage
ot an act tela ting to waul officers, substantially
according to the. draft of at act hereto anuexed.
Minority Report. The undesigned respectfully
dissevts from th>? repot of the majority ot 'he
conmittee, for the following reasons: In bis opin-
ion, ward officers should be elected by th« people,
as at preseot, and that ther-- is l-ss likelihood of
abuse unocr the present system, than under the
one propos°d in the act submitted by the commit-
tee. Political power concentrated m the peoole
is always more to be relied on than if vested in in-
dividual;, ano is nore consistent witb republican
institutions. Hugh O'Brien.
Draft of an Act Relative to Ward Officers in
the City of Boston.
Section 1. The Mayor of tl'e city of Boston shall,
prior to the 1st day ot November in the piesent
year, with the approval of tire Board of Aldermen
of said city, appoint tor each ward or voting dis-
trict ot said city three inspectors of elections, who
shall b« legal voters in such ward or district, and
one ot whom shall hold ais office for one year, oe,e
for two years, and one for three years, f.om said
1st day of November; and in each year after the
present, the said Mayor shall, before the 1st day
of November, and with tbe approval of said
Board, appoint for each watd or voting dis-
trict one Inspector of Elections, who shall be a
legal voier in such ward or dist'ict, ard shall hold
office for tnree year- from the 1st day of Novem-
ber then next succeeding. Any such Inspector
may be at any time removed from office by said
Mayor, with the approval of said Board, and a.y
vacancy occurring in the office of said inspectors
shall be filled, for the residue of the term of the
inspector whose place is to be filled, by appoint-
ment and approval as above provided.
75
COMMON COUNCIL.
3ect. 2. Baid inspectors ofelectio s, before en-
termsj upon the dutie- of then office, shall take
and subscribe an oatb faithfully and impartially
to discharge snch duties; which oatti mnv be ad-
miDistei d by the City Clerk, or bv his assistant,
and the certificate thereol — * » « • l * be deposited in
tii office of the City < lerk,
scci.::. The qualified voters oi each ward or
voting ristnct h said city shall, at each annual
municipal election, choose by ballot, ore warden,
out' cle k and three i spectors ot elections, all of
Whom shah be legal voters in such ward or voting
district, and shall bold their offices for oue year,
and until others shall be chosen aud qualified in
their steao
Beet. 4. The said warden, clerks, and inspectors
shall respectively make o-tli faithfully and im-
partially to discharge theii several duties, which
oato in iy be administered by the clerk to toe war-
den, and by the latter to thr clerk aoc inspectors,
or to any or all of said officers by any justice of
the peace; and a certificate thereof shall oe en-
tered in the record te be kept In the clerk.
Sect. 5. In case of the noe-elsction of iav of
said officers at the annual election, the Board of
Alder, nen ot said city may issue their warrant ia
due form tor an election to be held at such time
and place as -aid Board may deem advisable
Sect. (>. In case of cue absence of any of said
elected ward officers -it any eleet'oi , such officer
inav be chosen pro tempore by hand vote, and
than have all the powr is, r.nd be subject to all the
duties of the regular officer at sneo election.
Sect. 7. The warden shall preside at all meet-
ings of his ward or voting district, and shall have
the powers of moderators of town meetings. In
case of ins absence, ihe clerk, and, in Cr.se of the
ab-ence of both warden and clerk, the inspectors,
according to seniority in aee, shall preside Hatil a
warden pro tempore shall be chosen.
Sect. 8. It shall be the duty of the clerk to
make and keep a fair and true record of all meet-
mgs, and to deliver such r jcord, togethei witn all
otner documents and papers held by him in this
said capacity, to his successor in office.
Sect. 9. The wardens, clerks, and inspectors of
elections shall receive such compensation for
each dav's actual service as the City Council of
said city may from time to time determine, and
shad be subject to the same penalties to which
such ward officers are now subject under existing
laws.
Sect. 10. The registrars of voters of said city
shall provide for each ward and voting district
therein a sufficient number of naliot boxes, ar-
ranged with such devices to guard against fraud-
u I ( ut voting as they may decide to be most effec-
tual for the purpose. While an election is going
on, each ballot box shall, so far as practicable, be
in the hum oiate cuartre of two inspectors, one
from those appointed, and one from those electee,
and the ballots shall not br> count- d or removed
from the ballot box until the election is closed,
and the inspectors who have had charge of a box
shall be entitled to make the first count of the bal-
lots therein.
The order was passed to 9 second reading, and,
on motion ot Mr. Howes of Ward 18, specially as-
signed for 8V 2 P. M. next Thursday.
PRKVENTKls' OF TAX DODGING.
Mr. Burgess of Ward 8 submitted a teport from
the Committee on Assessors' Department, to
whom was referreo so much of the Mayor's ad-
dress as relates to taxation, with instructions to
consider and report what action should be taken
to prevent the evasion of taxation oy peisons hav-
ing an actual residence in Boston and a nominal
residence in another municipality, recommending
the passage of the tollowiiur:
Ordered, That hi-- Honor the Mayor be request-
ed io petition th& General Court roi the passage
of an act regulaung the assessment of taxes.
R- ad twice and passed. Sent up.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Mi. Burgess of Ward 8 submitted a report from
the joiot special commi.tee to nominate Over-
seers of the Poor, recommending the election ot
Frdenck W. Lincoln, Washington L. Prescotc,
Phmea: W. Crane, Thomas F. Temple. Accepted.
Sen i up.
CLAIMS.
Mr. Sprague of Warci 10 submitted a report from
the Joint Committee on Claims recommending
leave to withdiaw on petition of Mechanics' Mu-
tual Fire Insurance Company tor premium on
policy held by city of Charlestown.
Accepted. Sentuo.
On motion of Mr. Peabody of Ward 11, the
Council adjournec
7G
BOARD OF ALDERMEN,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen,
FEBRUARY 14, 1876.
[tegular meeting at foui o'clock P, M., Alder-
nan Ciaik, Chairman, p r e«iding.
F.XIXI TIVE NOMINATIONS.
tteasurtrsof Wood and Hark— P. G. Preflcott,
Robert Hale, James C. WTiuoey, Mfreci A.. Hall,
J. B. Qnlmby, Alfred P.Gieeo, Randall G. Morse,
Robert Vose, E lenezer Curtis, William Sea-
ver, Horace \\ . Crofts, Daniel E. Adains,
Jonacban Frolic cU, Georgi E Frost; I nghtoo—
Salrra Ke.dall, William T. Qsbotn, James A..
Coggssball; Cbarlestown— Thomas J. Ediot, El-
briclee Wolcott, Charles A. Guild, Samuel L.
'futile, John G. Abbott, Jr., Jo'io W. Wiggio;
West Roxhur.v — Robert Sd ver, Frederic Seaver,
Cyrus M. Marshall, Horace Lindall.
Inspectors and Weighers of Bundle Hav— Israel
M. Barnes, Samuel B. Livermore, William S.
Holmes, Jasper H.Eat n, Willi in R. In inn, E G.
Dudley, Waller C. Bryact, J. 1'. Dalrvmple, B.
W. Harding, C. A. Upham, A. J.Wb-elpr, Ebene-
zei Curtis, C. E. Stephenson, Aarou Bradshaw,
Williain P. Boaidwan, John \. "ye.-.
Public Weigh*- r— Ezra O. Swift.
Superintendents of Hay Scales — North Scale*,
Henry A. Davis; ."oath Scales. Levi Chadbnarne :
South Boston Scales, John M. Johnson ; Ea^t Bos-
ton Scales, John A. Bro.vn: Roxbury, undrew W.
Newman; Brighton, Daniel O. Sanger, Thomas
Hunt ; West Roxhurv, John J. Blake.
Severally coariimel
PETITIONS, ETC , REFERRED.
To the Committee on Paving. Bartholomew
Welch, to lie paid for grade da napes at 79 Athens
street, Sou h Boston .
J. W. Hun. evvclt & Co., that pornons of Bre-
meaand Putuani streets, Ea t Boston, be put :a
proper repair.
Michael Lane et al., that Soltcn street, between
E and F sneets, b3 paved with wood.
S. E. Decker, to be paid for grade damages oa
Lincol a str. et.
Lydia EHis, that the city build a retaining wall
on cbe !in*». of West Che' W park, in Jront of her
premi^er, near the cro-si ig ot the Bos on &
Albany Railroad, to prevent the gravel robins
down upon her premises.
Co em in 'Jook el al., that Paris str°et, between
Porter and Decatur stieets.East Bo ton,b j graded.
To the Committee on Health on the part of the
Board. Mai gat ei Finneeio etal., auaiost erec-
tion of a stable bv Asa Mitchell, 127 Go d street-
George U. Peaisou, for i-ave to occupv old
»Doden stable for four horses ou Kemple street,
Waid 20.
D. Roby & Co., tor I ave to occupy their stable.
280 Causew-.y .-tieet, for four additional hoists.
To the Committee on Common on the paH of the
Board. Pamck Canity, for lemoval ot a tres at
132 Pynchon street.
To the Joint Committee on Survey and In-
spection of Buildings. William Moi*e, for leave
to erecL a wooden building o-j 57-59 Palmer street.
To the Committee on Sewers. E-stteet Ortho-
dox Congrtgarioial Society, for abatement of
sewer assessment.
NOTICE OF CLAIM.
Notice was received frooa Etiz;, B. Wheaton et
al., i.r a claim to a portion of :he su.e valu of 20-24
Winter stieef.
PETITIONS REFERRED.
To the Committee on Licenses Boylsron Market
Association, agamst the petition of J. H. & E. J.
Hathome for a tome through Boylstoa *-tieet for
their line of coach-s; also William C. Mnrdock
and fitty-one oth°rs against th Q arne.
To Vie Joint Committee on City Hospital. Trus-
tees of City Hospital, tnac any unexpended bal-
ance of their appropriation for current ezpens°s
uaav be cai ied ovei and stand to th^ir cn-ait for
ihe purpose of furnishing the ad .itions to tae
buildings authorized by the Citv Cou icil.
To the Joint Committee on Public Instruction.
Request of School Committee for accotamodatriois
for th* Nbi mal School to be provided 10 the Rice
School building; a.d for - itber a new scnoolbouse
on the site of the piesent prima -y-school builJing
on Weston street, or au additional ne^ building
in -ome convenient locality within ths district of
tho Shecwin Grammar ScjooI.
CM I NISIIEP BUSINESS.
Report and order io ray Stephen H. Tarbell,
bondsman lor coutl actor on the Francis-street
Schoolbouse, 91021, less amount cxp.nded for
temporary school accommodations, for comply-
ing ihe woik on said schoolhot.se. Reco.i.mitted
to tbe Committee ou Claims, on motioo of Aldtr-
nian (J'Biieu. Sent down.
Report and order t i remit from the tax assessed
upon tho Mercanti'e Wharf Compan) the sum of
$1238, for the ieason t.ierein statJd. Order passed.
Sent down.
I-AI'ERS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL.
Petitions weieiefened in concnirence.
Report of the Board of Fire Commissioners on
the number and character ot alarms or tire in
January, 1870. Placed on file.
'Ihe ordinance to a lend the ordinince in rela-
tion to the assessment and collection of taxes
came up leteried to toe Comnntct e oa Ordinances
with instructions to rsport on the 17th instant.
Concur r I'd.
Repoit of leave to withdraw on petifioa of He-
cnaolcs' Mutual Insurance Com nam to be -,aid
fi.' assessment du* on policy held by citv of
Cbarlestown. Aces-pied ia concurrence.
Report and order for Mayor to petition the Leg-
i latme for passage of an act regulating tb>; as-
sessment of taxes. Order passed in concurrence.
LICENSES.
Alderman Bigelow submit ed reports fron tha
Committed on Licenses as follows:
Aucttoneeis' Licenses Gracted— Moses H. Lib-
by, 124 Broadway; Johnso , Moody & Co., 116
Pearl stieet.
Billiard License Granted — Howaid Slale, 712
Washington str. et.
Wagoa LicVn-:e Granted — H. M. Holmes, corner
of East and South streets.
Pawn! roker' sLicense Refused —Harvey Roger 1 ?,
317 Hanover streec.
Minors' Application Gi anted — Twenty te-vs-
bays.
Pawnbroker'.? License Refused— J. F. Ferdi-
nand, 202 Washi gtou screet.
Dealer in Secona-haad Articles Licensed— Nor-
ton Nelson, 162 B.-oadway.
Licei'se to Deal in Second-hand Articlej Re-
fused — \dolph Cohen, 134 Hairisou avenue.
Severally accepted.
DISTRICT MUNICIPAL COURTS.
Alderman S^ebbins submitted tns following:
The Committee on Cou u ty Accounts waower" in-
structed to eonsid<-i the expediency of petition-
i g the Geneial Court for such legislation as will
secure a substantial reductioa in the aumbet of
-uunicipal courts <*ithii he city limits, and the
ezpen-e of maintaining the same, having consid-
ered the suojtct, beg leave to submit the follow-
ing leport: The investigation included not only an
inquiry into tb-i expense ot maintaining the
cour s, but also a consideration of the causes
which led to their establisoment. as well as toe
necessity for their continuance. The annexed
sch-dule will snow the expeLses of thejmunicipal
courts in Dorchester, Boston Highlands, West
Roxbury, Brighton, East and South Boston, and
Cha.lestown, f t the year 1875, together *ich the
revenue received trom them. It will be seen that
the total expense (not incluamg couit-room
rents, with the exception of a portion ot the y-ar
in Dorchester) amountea to 860,791.72, and the
total revenue amounted to §25,316.36. making rhe
net co«t to the citv and State ^35,475.36. Your
commi tee are aware that the expense attending
the proper administration ot justice is of second-
ary importance whea compared with the protec-
tion and convenience of the om nuuitv, but be-
yond the question of the convenience of those
living in tht immediate vicinity of »hsre some of
the-e courts are hela, it doss i ot appear that the
public ?ood requires their co-itinuance, while it is
certain that the expense of maintaining them is
not only a heavy burden to ths taxpayers, out
also greatly exceeds in comparison the amount of
benefit derived.
Tie establishment of these courts in the first
instance was not a puohc necessity, ana the argu-
ments presumed to the Legislature in favor of
their formatioo seem to bavs etna, ated from
those desiring an offic-al position for themselves
or their tnends. The officers of thee courts claim
that in considering the question of their utility,
ih:- amount of revenue derived from thvm has an
FEBRUARY 14, 1876
77
important bearing; upon the subject. The result,
of ibe business of last year i:ho .s that this argu-
ment h^sno weight, and eveu if it vveie otherwise,
the idea sboulu not, be entertained. If minor
courts are to be established foi speculative pur-
poses, and the question of profit and loss is to 'li-
ter into the administration of justice, the door
will be opened to a train ot evils hitherto un-
kno - r in the history of our judiciary. These
courti should be conducted with a view to the
prevention as well as the punishment of crime,
and not with an idea that the uay-aent of moiey
is reqnireo tor evtrv infraction of the law. A
reprimand would, in many cases, have more
weight and be a greater puni-htueut than the im-
position of a fin*, the pay aunt of which may de-
prive a family of the necessaries of life. It would
oe far moie 'for the public g ■>< d if many of the
complaints for petty offences, and from which a
revenue is der.ved, should not be entertained,
and it would be more creditable to members of
the poli' e force if thpy should warn . nd repri-
mand many, especially juveniles, who from
thoughtlessr.pss or iernoraiice commit petty of-
fences, ratuer than make aircsrs tor the purpose
of enlarging the business oc these courts.
y-mr committee are satisfied (hat the prerent
system is wrong and that it should be changed.
Since the subject, was lefeiiecl to them
the matter has been bi ought, 10 the attention of
the Legislature by complai ts 1'roaj other paits of
the State, and an investigation is now being
made. As the matter is entirely uuaer the control
and supervision of that oody. your committee,
without; presenting any Dlan of reorganization,
recommend that, the Mayor be authoiized to pe-
tition foi a thoiough investigation of thesystcn,
either by tb> present Legislature, or by a com . lt-
tee to sit during the recess. While making cheir
inquiries i he attention ot your committee was
called to the salanes paid to the constables of the
Superior ».nd Municipal court- in the city pioper.
It appears that the salaries paid to the six con-
stables on duty in the Superior Civil Court donug
the year 1875, was tor per diem salaries $7358, and
for certain ftes allowed bylaw. $809.13, makh g
the average to each officer, $1419.42. The seven
constables m the Superior Criminal Court re-
ceived fur per diem salaries $6135, and for fees
$10,933.36, an average of $2438.32. The salary
estabhsned bv the Legislature aud paid to eacb of
the six constables of the Municipal Criminal
Court is $1800 uer annum. The.saiaiy ot the con-
stable o: the Municipal Civil Court is $1200 per
annum.
Believi'ie that the system ot allowing tees to
these officers is -*roi.g, your committee are of the
opii.i n that they shoula be paid a fixed salary
and that all tees sbould be. paid into the county
treasury. They are also ol the opinion that the
salaries of ibo constables of tee Municipal courts
iE the city proper should bs propojtioneo to the
a a ouut of services rendered.
In the progress of the iavestigation your com-
mittee have neen convinced that by" the erection
of a suitable Court House foe the tiaosaction of
criminal business in the vicinity of the county
jail, a large reduction in the expenses of the
county can be made, and the aemoralizina- effect
of the daily public exhibinon of criminals vhlle
entering or leaving the present Court House will
be avoided. Believing it f> be expedient that the
subjects ot reorganizing the district municipal
courts, and of regulating tue fee-' and salaries of
constables should be brought before the creseot
Legislature, your cocnnaitiee respectfully recom-
mend the passage of tbe following oiders.
S. B. Stebbins.
A. O. Bigelow. Committfe.
William Pope.,
Orderec", That his Hoi or tbe Mayor be request-
ed to petition the General Court, now in session,
tor a thorough investrgEtion ot the municipal and
police district court system of the State, with a
vie* of reorganizing the same for th« purpose of
securing a more economical and efficient method
of transacting the business pertaining thereto.
Ordered, Thar, his Honor tbe Mayor be request-
ed to petition the General Coatt, now in session,
for the passage of au act providing that the sal-
aries paid ro constables of the Superior and Mu-
nicipal coo-ts shall be proportioned to the amount
of service rendered, ano that all fees now accru-
ing to said officers shall be paid into the county
treasury.
Read twice and passed. Sent down for concur-
rence.
CLAIMS.
Alderman O'Brien submitted a repoit of leave
towirbdtawon petition of A. D. Pattee & Co. to
be paid for injuries to carnage caused by a defect
in Bennet street. Accepted. Sent down.
PERMITS FOR STABLES.
AltJerman Viles submitted reports from th Com-
miuee on Health on the part of toe Board ij fa-
vor of granting permits to o.:cupy stable by E. P.
Cutler, Jr. on Medford street, Waid4, .ml John
McDonald, Dove-street alley, Ward 24. Severally
accepteo .
SEWERS.
Alderman Viles from the Committer on Sew-
ers, submitted an or.ier to pay Maiy H. and Susan
H. Howard $275, for iana tak-n and all damages
occasioned by the construction of a sswer in the
valley of Do/chester Brook. Oid«-r reaa twice and
passed.
LOCATION OF TELEEGRAPH WIRES.
Alderman Burnham submitted a report from the
Joint Committee on Fire Departme.it on the com-
munication from the Fire Commissioners in iela-
tioo to tbe location of telegraph wires, recom-
mending the passage or the following:
Ordered, That the Chief of Police notify the
owners aud agents having charge ol all telegraph
wires which are stretched dianoually a'T.iss any
public street below the eaves of tbe buildings, to
readjust such wires in such a manner as will not
inteifere with the elevation of ladders in case of a
tire in anv of such buildings, said readjustment of
wires to oe made ir a manner satisfactory to t*e
Chief Eogr.eer of the Fire Department.
Read iwice aud passed.
LAND DAMAGES.
Alderman Burrage, from the Committee on
Streets on the part of the Board, submitted orders
to pay tor i«iiiu taken and damages occasioned lor
widening streets as follows :
Hemy V. and Georgie E. Upham, $116.55, widen-
ing of Pond stree*.
John J. May, $214.25, widening or Savin Hill
avenue.
Emma C. Philbiook. $114.37, wide jiLg ot Pond
street (for la ad taken in i.ame of heirs of J. W.
Philbtook).
Severally reaa twice and passed.
WIRE ROPE ACROSS SPRING LANE.
Alderman Burrage submitted a report fiom the
Committee oq Police, recommending the granting
of a permit to Smith & Porter to extend a wiie
rope across Spring lane, by which to transmit
power, suoject to the appiovo.1 of tbe Fire Com-
missioners. Accepted.
BOND ORDERED AND APPROVED.
Alderman Burrag Q offeted the following:
Ordered, That C. S. Blood be a'.d he is hereby
directed to furnrsu a new bond satisfactory to
this Board.
R«ad twice and passed.
Subsequentlv the bond of Charles S. BI iod, Con-
stable, was presented, duly certified, and was ap-
proved by the Board.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Alderman Stebbins off6ied the following:
Ordered, That the Committee on Treasury De-
partment be requested to consider the expediency
of providing by ordinance that the Clerk of the
East Boston Ferries shall be a Deputy Collector.
Rei.o twice ard passed. Sent down.
PROTECTION OF FANEUIL HALL,
AlJerman Stebbins offered the following:
Ordered, That the Committee on Faneuil H&ll
and County Buildings be instructed to consider
ano report upon the expediency of making such
changes in the lower story of Faneuil Hall, when
the present leases of those persons now occuoy-
ing the same for market purposes shall expire, as
will fii said stort for occupancy by such of the
city denartments as can be accommodated there-
in, with a view to the better protection against
fire ot this time-honoied structure, with its valu-
able contents.
Alderman Stebbins — Since the Alderman from
Ward 23 brought to the attention of the City Coun-
cil and the public generally the fact that the val-
uable pictures and works of art iu Faneuil Hall
were greatly endangered by fire, which mieht oc-
cur bv reason of tbe occupancy of the building for
market vurposes, a very lively interest has been
manifested in the venerable hall and the nurposes
for which the lower story is used. The suggestion
I
7b
UoARJ) OF ALDKIiMKN
ha;- beet) made that the city could very properlyi
upon the terminal ion of i lie present le>e-i, re-
model th- lower story of r 1 1 - building BO that it
coul-l be used f ir severil ot tlie city de-
partments which arc now quart ?reo oi.tsi.ie
of this hall, and thereby s.ive a large
sum now paid for rent, and, at the same time,
scenic to tli" building a Dei feet protection against
fire. It has i>e«n suggested that, possibly, the Fire
Department, the Dcp-utment ot Public Insti-
tutlovs, tne Department lor the Stitvey aDd
Inspection ol Buildings, aim, perhai s, one
or two others, couni well be transferre i
to the lower story ot Fannul Hal", and find
accommodations a u convenient and accept-
able as those which thsy now occupj. Cer-
tainly, by making the transfers, we should
secure f urthei accommodations in City Hall, and
io no way mconimo etne public, aid we should
also secure the venerable building from any dan-
ger in ra9« 01 fire. \t jresent we know the
condition of the hell and the difficulties at-
tc omg « isitors to it. 1'he lower story being used
for a inaibet, it is almost impossible for visitors
to obtain an entrance without damage to their
clothing from the a< tides sold there. 1 hone the
committ e will report upon the advisability of
making the Droposed change, and iosunng the
safety ot the building.
The order wa- passed.
OONGRESS-STRELT WIDENING— BUILDING TO HE-
MAIN.
Alderman Thompson offered the following:
Ordered, That the Joint Committee ou Streets
be requested io le .ort '■>• the City Council whether
the building at ihe corner of State and Congress
streets, purr-ha^-ed by the city for the purpose of
widening said Congress street, cannot be allowed
to remain for a few vears, and be occupied b { the
city for soma of its departments now paying high
rents id other lor-aluies.
Parsed. Sent down.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Alderman Burrage offered the following:
Odered.That his Honortbe Mayor be requested
to petition the General Coutt, now in sessiou, f or
an amendment to th« act lelating to the sealing of
weights aod measures.
jildriman burrage— The Committee on Market,
to whom the repoit of the Sealers of Weights and
Measures was referred, And, upon investigation,
that th» law is very defec*ive. Hence the offer-
ing of this order.
The order was read twice and passed. Sent
down.
DUTIES OF HARBOR MASTER.
Alderman Burrage submitted the followiog:
The Joint Standing Committe 1 on Harboi, who
were instructed to consider the expediency of
abolishing the office of Harboi Master, and of
transferring the unties of that office to the Police
Depar inent, having considered the subject, beg
'leave to suomic the following report: Your eom-
mitree are of the opinion that the commercial in-
terest of this poit require that the office
of Harbor Master should be continued, and
that the proper performance of the duties of the
office demands the services of an officer possess-
ing experience and nautical uno Pledge. The con-
stant attention ot the Harbor Master should be
given to the duties of his office, aad for that rea-
son the office should remain an inde eudent one.
Eve. i if a member of the V olice Department could
be found who possessed the necessary qualifica-
tions for a Harbor Master, he would b. j sub-
ject to the rules and ivgu!atiou» govern-
ing the police, and the duties of one office
would be liable to conflict wit I? those: of the other.
At a public healing given on the subject, a num-
ber of citizers familiar *ith the duties of the of-
fice expressed themselves substantially in accord-
ance with the views of your committee. In view
of these facts, your committee are of the opinion
that it is inexpedient either to abolish the office
or to transfer the duties to the Police Depart-
ment.
Accepted. Sent down.
THE SYSTEM OF SEWERAGE.
Alderman Burrage submitted the following:
The joint special committee to whom was re-
ferred the report of the Commissioners on Sewer-
age beg leave co report in part, at this time, that
in the event of the City Council deciding to adopt
smypart of the plan proposed by ths said com-
missioners, it will be necessaiy to obtain author-
ity from the Legislature before any action can be
taken thereon. As the t'me in r-hich new bu-i-
ness can be Introduced in thy present Legislature
will expire before your committee ill be pre-
pared to report in full upon the subject referred
to them, they are ot the opinion that U i> ex-
pedient to petition at the" present time for rbe
necessary authority, aod they woub respectfully
recommend the passage of the followiog orders
Ordereu, That his honor the Mayor be requested
to petition the General Court, at its pre- nt ; session,
for the p ssagc of an act authorizing the city of
Boston to take >ncli land as may be needed fot
the construction and maintenance of a main sew-
er, acios- or under tide wat- r, to that past of tn»
towu of (luincy known as Sqnantum, and from
thence to .Moon [stand, in st<i<1 town of Qulocy:
al.-:o tor authority to take laod for the purpose of
establishing pumping works and reservoii • in the
city of Boston and -aid town ot Quincy.
Ordered, That bis Honor the Mayor be requested
top titiou the General Court, at its present ses-
sion, for the passage of an act regulating the con-
struction and maintenance ol sewers by the com-
bined action of adjoining municipalities.
The report was accepted, and Alderman Burrage
moved that the orders take their second reading.
Alderman Burrage — As is srared in the report,
it is deemed advisable to get the necessary author-
ity to construct tins sewer, should it, in the future,
be considered expedient to do so. It was thought
best to offer the second order so that if adjoining
municipalities should decide to join this city iu
any attempt at improved ?ew^rage, they can do
so.'aud that the terms upou which it can 'be done
may be defined, ard the expanse of buildiog and
maintaining: the sewets oe fixed. One rea-
son for offering the second order is that
the authorities of BrookUoe have expressed a de-
sire to unite with Boston in constructing a sewer
to relieve the Muddy River district, both for a
tamporarv and a peiraaneut sysren; and the
commiitee from that town assure us that they will
unite with us upon an equitable basis a d bear
their proportion of the expense.
Alderman Stebbins — As a member of this spe-
cial committee, I stated to my associates, when
this matter was under consideration lastFtiday
evening, that I disagreed somewhat with the con-
clusions to which they had arrived, and 1 reserved
the riarht to present a minority report if
1 saw fit. I have not yet had time to
prepare at length sucn a report as would
give my objections to the r( commendations; but
lean state tham briefly to the Boaid, and let
them go for what they are worth. If the hrst or-
der means anything, it means that the city of Bos-
ton shall oDtain authority to construct a sewer
from Cottage Farm to Moon Island in Boston
Haibor, at an expense of $3,746,500, as recom-
mended b7 the commissioner* n bo have investi-
gated this subject; and it means that the citv is
to be committed te the scheme of eommenci >g the
»oik the pie-ent year, othei wise the petition could
be withheld m til the meeting of the next Legisla-
ture, when authority ca i oe secured 1 1 neasou to
begin ihe work in 1877. It meao;-, also, thaf there
shall be adder! to tt> -. tax levy of the ore-^ent year
an amount suffici°iit to cover the c infracts which
may be made to initiate thi- system. No provi-
sion is made in the or. <-r that the whole, or any
portion of the monev shall be borrowed — iu fact,
it is proper to state that members of the commit-
tee were positive upon th= point that whenever
the work snail b a do, e it shall be paid for by r ax-
ation, and not by the instrumentality of a loan. I
disagree with the comu lttee upon that point.
Hera is a work t> be constructed fir the accom-
modation of a million of p^oole, for all
time; and why the citizens of Boston should be
taxed this year and next for three and a ualf
million dollars, to construct this, permanent work. I
donotuuoerstaod. I think the mam pordon of this
work, whenever it is commenced, should De done
bv loan. Then, again, another obj etion to the
recommendations Of the com nittee, is that the
matter has not yet been sufficiently investigated.
Her .- is a report of a commission which has oeeu
before the Citv Council but a few weeks, and w r e
are now called upon to take the first step in the di-
rection of building this system of woik* — a system
the lite ot which exists nowhere in the United
States; which Ins not yet osen fully examined b.v
a competent engineer of the city of Boston. At
present, the City Engineer is inakius. an exami-
nation ot the estimates of the commission, with
the vie v of ascertaining whether the estimates
are substantially "orrect or not. Before ibis
gieat expenditure is eutered upon I think this
FEBRUARY 1 4
1876
79
whole matter should ce more thoroughly investi-
gated, ao r i that our o • n City Engineer or
Superintendent of Sewers, or both, should
be allowed a vacation for the purpose of
visiting England or France, wliere this sys-
tem of pumping sewers is in use, to ascer-
tain definitely whttber fais plan is the best for
the city to aoopr, whether improvement? cannot
be made by a modification of tin plan, what is the
effect upon ihe cities .vhere tne s e several systems
are iu use — in fact, to make a careful examination
of the cities where this plan has been adopted. I
do not oppose this system— x think it is one of the
ablest leoorts the city of Boston ever had upon
the surjt-ct: — but 1 do eUim thai, if should
be more filly and carettlly investigated by our
own engineers before the city is committed
to this vase expenditure. I claim, also, that this
amoii'.'t should ae laised by locv> rather than by
taxation. 1 do rot believe in tixiog tne people of
Boston, especially at the present time, • hen busi-
ness interests ar^ so greatly depressed, with this
enormous sum of three and a halt mi. lions ot dol-
lars m the short space of three years. It should
be provided bv loan : the v ouev can b° raised at a
low percentage, and as the worn is to be done for
the future as much as for the present, let the
future pay their shar^ ot the expense, riese, in
brief, are my objections to the recommendations
of tne committee.
A.!aerrnan Burrage— I did not suppose the
gcueral question would cooie up for discussion
at this time; but I disagree entirely with the
gentleman in regard to ihe object 'of the or-
der. It does not commit the ctty to any-
thing; any one can see that it does not. We
only ask for authority; but we do not commit
ourselves to acting uncier that authority, ana we
don't propo e to do so until the matte; has be .n
thoroughly considered by the commit tee. The
committee have moved very cautiously in this mat-
ter. While th y see the necessity of some im-
provement iu tbe sewerage system of the ciiy,
they axe also aware ot the great expense and the
great tl'ffi ultyot incurring that expease iu the
pte-eut state of the finances of th? country. The
gentleman referred to the wattri- of taxation, as
if that bugbear bad beeu decided upon by the
committee. He knows very well that the commit-
tee have not committed themselves: that they
havt passed no vote, although the niattei has
been talked ovti and iuoividual opinions have
been expressed, and it it had been deemed neces-
sai y to obtain a loan, an amer-dmeut to that effect
could be offered; but that is not i.ecessaty.
There may be an honest differenc. of opinion
as to tne manner in which the sewer should be
paid for. I doubt if the people generally are will-
ing to be tazed for the work as it progresses, but,
individually, 1 should be willing to be taxed to
raise a million <<ollars a year, for a few years, to
improve our sevveiage as U -bould be, though I
presume the cotnamoitv generally would prefer to
hav it doi.e by loaa. If a loan is ever justifiable
it is for such a tnaiter as improving the sysiem of
sewerage. It is geneially consideifcu so, and all
municipal bonds to raise money to build
sewers are thought to be the best in
the market. I eutiiely agren with the
Alderman that our City Engineer and Superin-
tendent of Sewers should examine this matter,
and the Engineer is now miking figuies and esti-
mates tor the committ'-.e, at, their request, in order
to get at a fair understanding of what the cstis
lit ly to be; but this visit to Europe looks a little
like an attempt to get up an excursi jEi at the ex-
pense ot the city. It is known that the city has
lately been to an expense of $10,000 to have this
subject investigated bv «- com. ission; that
one of the commissioners went to Engiano
for this very purpose, and obtained all ihe in-
formal iou possible; and the commissioners, hav-
ing consulted all the authorities upon this matter,
were fully posted r.efore making the report. I
havn no doubt our Engineer is as competeet ixs
either of these commissioners to investigate this
subject; but the community at laige would be
bctier satisfied to have his opinion backed up by
that of such men as Mr. Ch-sorough or Mr.
Lane. Whatever the opinion of members of the
Boaro may be on tne general quoition, it seems
time there can be no objection to applying
to the Legislature for authority to build
the sewer ip case the City Council should decide
to do so. The Aldei man knows very well that tbe
time appointed by the Legislature beyond which
no new business can be introduced is rapidly ap-
ptoaching. Feb. 22a is the day named, and it is
important to get in all petitions before then. I
hope the Boaid will adopt the ordi-rs.
Alderman Stebbius— I am aware that there is a
limited numoer of days in which thw city can peti-
tion the General Court; but I am also aware that
the Legislature is in cession the greater portion
of the year, aod that, should they adjourn, it will
be tor only a veiy short time, to come together
again text wiotei . Unless the work is to commence
this year, the petition can wait till the next Leg-
islature, and then we will be prepared to state
definitely what, we de«ite, and whether toe esti-
mates made are fair and proper ones. Now, in
regard tOth« suggestion tiat the Engineer or Su-
perintendent of Sewers should firs: visit similar
structures iu the Old World, the Alderman re-
marks that that looks like a pleasure exclusion at
the expense ot the city. I desire to sav that that
suggestion was not made by either of the gcsntle-
cien in question. It was entirely my own
suggestion, and I oon't know that either of
the gentlemen soulo feel that he could
spare the time *o leave. The idea that
tins thine should be hurried through in a month
after the commission have reporied don't strike
me as pioper. At the time this investigation
was had it England theie were six oifit>rent com-
missions appointed, and they were nine years zr-
nving at a proper conclusion. They rnaue haste
slowly. Surely we can afford to make baste
slowly before yve commence this gr-.at work.
Now, the Aldei inan says tha . is a'l the infoima-
tion yvhich can be arrived at. Her- is one sugges-
tion— a wrougbt-irou pipe under tide water.
I don't know buc our Engineer would
favor that, but it would certainly re-
quire mors investigation than he' has
mare to deteimioe whether it should be a -wrought
or cast iron structure. It is possible tDat that in-
formation can be obtaiued through the mails.
Whenever this work is commeuce.i w a should do
that which is tor the interest of tne taxpayers and
the people, and I hope no steps will be taken un-
til 5,e have arrived at a proper understanding of
the who'e m .tter, so that no mistake may be
made iu the location, the materials used, or the
expense incurred.
Alderman Bui rage -I agree tntirely with the
Alderman that we sriould n't make naste too fust,
pnd that no steps should be taken until we know
what we are about ; but it seems to ae that is no
argument against applying to the Legislature for
authority to do this thing. This sewage nuisance
has growo woiss ami worse, until it has become
unbearable, and the improvement of our
system of sewers has beeu under considera-
tion bv the citizens of Boston for ten years.
The general opinion of the community is that
something; should be done: and nothing will
be done until the first sters are taken. For one, I
propose to take this first step; but 1 am i ot in
favor ot aoing anything without due considera-
tion and without acting pioiciously. The commit-
tee have n't voted upon tms thing yet, and they are
just as likelv to vote adversely as the other way-
out it will do no hr.rm to get the authority to act
ifitsnould be decided that it is for the public
good to do so. Ihope the Board will give tbe or-
ders a second reading, so that they may go to the
Council on Thursday evenitg, and if favorablv
acred on there, ibey may go to the Legislature
thi* week.
Th oiders were read a second time. Alderman
Burrage called foi the yeas and lays, an o the
orders were passed — yeas 7, nays 5.
Yeas— Aldermen Bigelow, Burrage, Clark, O'Bri-
en, Pope, Sampson, Whiddeu — 7.
Nays — Aldermen Buvnham, Hull, Stebbins,
Thompson, Viles— 5.
Sent down.
RELIEF OF WEST BROOKLINE STREET.
Aldern an Bunage submitted a report from the
Cotnmirt°e on Police on remoostiance ot A . P.
Gilson et al., against the occupation of West
Brookline street with ca ts, vehicles, etc., that the
Chief of Pobce has been insttuetid to keep the
streets clear of vehicles, and recommending that
so much of the petition as relates to the removal
of the manure be referred to the Committee on
Health. Accepted and icfei red accordingly.
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS.
Superintendents of Bridges. Alderman Burn-
tarn submitted a report making tbe following
nominations for Superintendents of Bridges par-
tially controlled by the city of Boston:
Cottage Farm— Frpncis Caverly.
Granite— Albert O. Hawes.
80
HOARD OF A L I ) I : R M J ■: N
Neponi e1 —John GJavIo,
Cambridge— Willi im Norton.
Western avenue (to Cambridge)— William Nor-
ton.
Cnslsca- Daniel S. I, a wi cnce, Adam Bowlbv.
North Harvard jtieeo— Wil'i tin Norton.
Western avenue (10 Wat< rt»wo)— <). V. Knox,
M. w. Angler.
Accepted.
Member of CocMtuate Water Board. A certifi-
cate came down of election or' Charles E. Rice M
a member ol the Cocbituace Water Hoard, io
place of Augustus Parker, cboseo by this Board.
Laid on the table on motion of Alderman Burrage.
Subseanently it was iafren up and a oaliot or-
der, d on motion of Alderman Thompson, who,
With Alileiojan B. Hull, was appoi itad a commit-
tee to collect and count votes.
Whole number of ballots 12
Necessary for a choice 7
A turuBtas Parker 7
Charles E. Rice 5
And Mr. Parker was declared elected in concur-
rence. Ceitificate sent down.
Overseers of the Poor. A report came down
nominating Frederic W. Lincoln, Washington L.
Prescoct, Phinea" M Crane and Thomas F. Tem-
ple as Overseers ot the Poor for three years. The
report was accepter! in concurrence and a ballot
was ordered, and Aldermeu Pope and Stebbins
were appomted a committee to collect and count
votes.
Whole number of votes. . 12
Necessary for a choice 7
Frederic W. Lincoln 12
Washington L. Prescott 11
Phineas M. Craue 12
Thomas F. Temple 12
And they were declared elected. Certificate sent
down.
MYSTIC VALLEY SEWER.
On motion of Alderman Wbidden, the Board
took from the table the report and orders report-
ed as par: of the unfinished business of last year
and recommended by the Committee on Water,
viz. :
First— An order to authorize the construction of
a sewer in the Mvstic Valley, at an rxpenseof
$205,000.
Second — An order to provide the means for the
construction of said swer by borrowing the said
sum and issuing bonds therefor.
The orders were pa c sed, in concurrence— yeas
12, nays 0.
THE SALARY BILL.
On motion of Alderman Burrage the Board took
from the table the report and oiders establishing
the salaries of city officers *'or the year 1876-7.
(City Doc. 22.)
Alderman Burrage moved that the Board go in-
(• committee ot the whole to discuss the subject.
Alderman Srebbins said it might as well be dis-
cussed in open board. Certainly some ot the ar-
guments made by the gentleman uoon the com-
mittee at the last meeting ought to be answered.
Alderman Burnge said his object was to con-
sider the subject informally, but he was not
strenuous about it. He hoped his arguments
would be answered if thev could be.
Alderman Stebbins said some of the t eductions
commended themselves to him, and others did
not, and be wanted the bill discussed.
Alderman Burrage withdrew the motion.
The fi st order was lead and put on its passage.
Alderman Stebbins — I hope the committee will
give us some good reasons for reducing the salarv
of the City Clerk tro-n $5000 to $4500,
Alderman Sampson — Th- City Clerk suggested
that the i eduction should ce made, and the com-
mittee so reported.
Alderman Burrage— In the peiformance or their
duty the cointnittee deemed it wise a>id best to
adopt some general principle, antl tbey therefore
oeducteri about ten per cent, from the salaries of
city official", though, as was stiteo before, vary-
ing the rule somewhat in certain cases. Under
that rule they deducted $500 from the City Clerk's
salary, although if their personal feelings wer i to
be considered, they would have been ylad
to double his salary rather than make a
reduction. The salary ot the City Clerk
has been latgsly increased, and ii is true that his
duties have been largely increased also, until last
y< ar or i he year before, when the registration of
voters was taken from his office and placed in the
hands of a separate board. That relieved him of
a great deal o f work, and [ believe that last year
he made a request that his salary slum d be re-
duced ; but tnat did oot influenc the committee
of this year in their actioo. In 1860 his saiaiy was
S2500; in 1866, $3500; in 1870, $4500, what n is pro-
posed to be reduced io r.ow. Io making this rec-
ommendation, the committee oid what tbey
deemed to be their duty. TLey fee 1 tha' they are
right in principle and have dischugl d their" Duty
in making the -e lecomtrendations, and now the
Citv Council must take the responsibility of de-
ciding thi* question.
Alderman Bigeluw — I am aware the committee
who nave had this matter under consideration
had a difficult nutv to perform, but the principle
which seeme to govern the n io arriving at then
conclusions I think, i- a mist-ken one. An in-
discriminate r-duction of salaries, without regard
to qualification, fitness or value of service render-
ed, seems to me wrong, and I eanoi-t lavor the
passage of this order. The head o r ncar.y every
department, have held then positions many years,
aud they are men of ability and untitle tioned ia-
tegnty. Now, Mr. Chairman, lam in lavorof ecou-
omy in the broade-t sense, but to take any action
by which the city will be deprived of the fervices
ot these treniieajeu would, io my opioion.be a
step in the wiong direction. Take, for example,
the departuieo. with which I am most ramiliar— I
refer to the Paving Department; when the pres-
ent incumbent was elected oome ten or fifteen
years ago, there were 110 miles of streets io the
city ot Boston; now we have 364 miles. The du-
ties ot the Superintendent are arduous, but his long
expedience enables h*m to peiforrn them n ithont
difficulty. He is perfectly familiar with the value
ot all material ana labot lequired, giviug him
great advantage in their purchase. The amount
of mooe> expended ia this department is very
large; last year the appropriation was $1,000,000.
The committee, although giving :he business
much time, are obliged to rely in a great measure
upou the Superintendent, wno, by bis knowledge
of the quality and value ot materials, saves the
city, in my opinion, much more than his
salary every year. 1 very much ooubt if
any two men io Boston can be foui-d woo
would ^e able to perform bis duties without an
experience of years. Tae same may be said of
other departments.
Now, Mr. Chairman, is it economy to so reduce
the salaries ot these officers as to dissatisfy them,
or peihaps deprive the city of their services al-
together? I think not. 1 contend that every
man is entitled lO a fair equivalent for services
rendered. The at gament tuat salaries that have
been iocieased the last few vears s'.ould new be
reduced on account ot the reduction in the ex-
pense of livng, has little force withme. The tact
seems to be ignored that a man's service'' become
more valuable by experience. Kveiy merchant
increases the saiaiy ot a clerk as bis* experience #
and services become more valuable, antl the same'
principle shojld govern the city. »
Alderman Stebbins- lue A'a-rmau fiom Waid
17 say tue committee weie governe t bv a prin-
ciple in arriving at their decision and in recom-
mending the reductions. Now, sir, the only prin-
ciple which they have presented for the consider-
ation of the Board is that, embodied in the some-
what elaborate speech which he r-ad to us la-t
Monday. He there represented — what is a fact —
thai certain Decessarres of life hail been grea ly
reducea m price, and ne gave some interesting
information concerning the cost of both rhe nec-
essaries and luxuries. In other words, the prin-
ciple is— it tcie Alderman's position i« correct-
that the city of Boston must ba-e the compensa-
tion of its salaried officers upou the cost ot the
necessaries ot life — upon what may be the cost of
A. C. A. licking — and not upon the v ilue of the
strvices which they render to the city. Take
the official now under consideration— tb- City
Clerk. I'be Alderman says that ten
years pgo he had a much* smaller salary
tha'i now; but. be does not state th-tt at mat
time the citj of Bostoa bao a population of onlv
192,300, and that th°re were but 150 oilier ot
streets. He fails to bnug to our attention the fact
that the city has increased m territory and popu-
lation until we have, at piesent, ovei 342,000 in-
habitants, more than 400 miles of streets, and
19,445 square actes against 3300 ten years smc -. In
all this time the labors of these heads of depart-
ments have beeu constantly inceasiag, stnd the
value of their services, as has just been suggested
by tbe Alderman from Ward 23, ha* also increas-
ed, until there is not one who can be spired with-
out detriment to the taxpayers. Why, if our City
FEBRUARY 1.4 , 1876.
Clerk, sub his valuable knowledge gained by
long experience, should leave oui employ,
where sta uld we fill his place? I contend
chat for th» valuable services he is enabled to
render, his Knowledge acquned by long ex-
perience, ne is >s much entitled to pay me t by
the taxpayer* as any nieie clerical labor which he
may pertorm. And the Alderman gives the
only reasou * hy this salary waa reduced «?,i be-
cause he asked (or it. It is true, he may have
asked foi it; he din so last year, and at the risk
of—
Alderman Sampson— I may tot have .stated that
it was isktd for becaus- his dunes were lighter.
Alderman Stebbios— That is the same suggestion
he maae last yew. Now, 1 shall rake the liberty
to red a copy of a letiti I wrote ro the City Clerk
last year, in response to the same suggestion. I
am onlv sorry tli j committee cid not follow the
same course tin 3 year:
"Bostox, Feb., 1875.
"tt. F. MoCleary, Esq., City Clerk: Dear Sir— I
have the pleasure 10 acknowledge the receipt of
your favor in response to the request of the Com-
mittee on salaries that you would furnish for
their information a statement showing the amount
necessary to be approp. :atea for clerk hire in your
depar'mei t for the next salary year.
in response to tne suggestion contained in your
letter that the City Council, haviDg provided
lor the appointment ot an assistant to aid m
the clerical labor which has hitherto devolved
upon you, a reasonable reduction of your own
salary would be proper, the committee, after care-
ful coosideraiior of the subject, voted unani-
mously to r j pon the sa>ne compensation a- that
paid last year. So much for the action of the
coaimittee, and now permit me to add a word
peisonally. Che citizens ot Boston Dave always
taken pride in the honest alininistr&tion of their
municipal interests, and to tne fidelity manifested
by the neads of the several departments is the cred-
it mainly due for the integrity of our civic govern-
men t.Your share of this credit is large and has been
fairly earned by more than twenty years of puolic
service performed, as it a' ways has been, in a man-
ner so faittif ul <-.nd conscientious as to win the
confidence ot the public in a marked degree,
"It is true, a,s you suggest, that your clerical
labors have been somewhat lessened; still I am of
the opinion that your tboiough knowledge ot
every department of our government is of great
value to the public and as miico entitled to com-
pensation as the capital of the merchant or tbe
services of the professions cained by years of
labor or experience "
Thai was my position la9t year, and I think it is
the correct one to follow— that the value of the
services which (he City Cleik is able to render the
city of Boston should'be based upon the informa-
tion he possesses and not upon the mere clerical
labor be performs; (hat it is ba^ed upon the
information acquired itnougi long years of ex-
perience, aid ha c no reference to the price of
A. C. A. cickiDg, or any otuer commodity which
you may purchase on the street.
Alderman Burrage — Th^ gentleman can deliver
no eulogv upon the City Clerk thai I will not sub-
scribe 10: but the fact in regard to f alaries is,
that the compensation is relative. Whatever the
reduction is in the cost of Jivirjg, there is
so much addition to the salary — we cannot
escape from thar; and if the saiary'is not reduced
n>w, it is practically an increase. I should be
glad to make an exception in the City Cbiks
cae; and as one member ot the commnt^e, I
should be glad to have exceptions made in cer-
tain other cases, and see amendments made to the
leport. I ooo't know whether it is the intention
of the gentleman 10 move an ameodme t to
the sections fixing che salary of the City
clerk*' employes or not. The Boaid will remem-
ber that $5000 is tue salary ot the juoges of the
Supreme Court. It may be they are not entitled
to it, aud I don't presume they do as much work
as the City Clerk does; but ftom their position it
seems to me that they should have a higher s:-laiy
than any one in ordinary civil service. The
Alderman fays the work has increased. That is
true, and so has the force of cleiks employed to
do the work. The only increase that thj heads of
department!.: have generally hao is in responsibility
of having to look after the men. I admic that we
have at the heads of our oeoaituaents meo whom
it would bea mislortune to lose, andl don't wish to
lose them. As to the equalization of salaries it must
be apparent to the Board that u would take a com-
mittte six months to study up the case and do it
equitably. In their replies to the commitiet, the
heads of departments state that neither the number
nor the amount, of salaries can be reduced. 1'heie
was one department— the Water Board— who said
they intended to reduce boch toe force and the
salaries, although they have done so once before
this year. The equalization of the salaries wi'l be
a labor lequuing a long time, and I oon't suppose
it would be accomplished then.
Aldermau O'Brien — It appears to me that tie
mistake of the committee in making up their re-
port — we all kao*. the disagreeable Business they
have had to pertorm — was in not equalizing the
reductions, without any exceptions wnatever. For
instance, lr we tak? the sections enumerated m
this order we find chat the Mayor's salary and
that of the Clerk of the Common Council, toe
Clerk of Committees, the Cashier ol the Treasury
Department, are not leduced, whiie in the City
Auditor's department there is a elean sweep
of almost every officer except the one
who is paid the lowest salary. In the
office of the Collector or Taxes there is scarcely
auy reduction, except the chief clerk and the
three clerks, who are the Hardest worked men ic
that department. It appears to ine the co.nm it-
tee should nave made a general reduction of ten
percent. The Mayor recommended ic in his mts-
sage, and if the neads of departments ar- to be re-
duced, be wanted to be reduced also. The repoit
from the Collector's ueoartin"nt shows that tue
force cannot be reduced; but it appears tome
that the sixteen Deputy Collectors at $1600 a ye?r,
might be reduced. In pievious yens these depu-
ties found ample time to be assistant assessors, and
I nelieve one-half the present Dumber would be
sufficient. The offices of cashier and teller in that
department might be united without detriment to
the public service. All the cashier doe-: i P t0 ra ko
the money from the teller at the end of the day's
business and hand it over to the City Treasurer ;
and the teller could 00 the same work equally
well. No reduction is made io die salary of the
Treasurer's cashic. I ttiink there is an inequality
in these reductions; they ought to Iwve been moie
general, and I would move, if in order, that che
salaries in sections 1 to 9, inclusive, be leduced
ten per cent, from the amounts now paid— then
we will have the matter before us as it ought to
be, and place all these men on an equality, from
the Mayor down.
Alderman Sampson— fne committee supposed
tbey could not reduce tn Mayor's salary during
his term of office. The exceptions were made m
the Treasurer's and Collector's rffices because the
men have to give bonds, which the commictee con-
sidered an equivalent for the larger amount. The
Collector's office has been so recently established
that we sunposed the Citv Cjunci] nad fi<ced the
salary at a f i- and equitable rate, and it should
not be disturbed.
Alder raan O'Brien— The Mayor's salary ought to
be the highest of any official in Cirv Hail, but we
don't fi d it. so. I Say we ought to' s°rve alt alike,
and make the rednctio. s equal. The hardest
worked man 111 the Auditor's Depaitment is the
chief clerk, ana his salary is reduced mote than
ten per ceet.; but I take it to- granted the salary
wouto be about right, if reduced ten per cent
from what it uow is. As the Alderman said, it
would take six months to equalize all thu salaries
Salaries in Hie City Hall are very unequal, but if
we take things as we find tnem, we si ould treat
all alike, and make a <rer>eial reduct.o 1 ot ten par
cent.
Alderman Burrage— I don't know whether it is
in order to discuss the whole suoject, on one
amendment; perhaps some of the remarks bad
bett-r be leH till ? e get to the other officer-*. As
Irematfeed, we deviated from .he rule where it
was pal oable that a deviation ought to be made
'We made 110 reduction on those who give bonds,
because it is no slight matter to secure oonds
Those men have great responsibility ; if they make
a mist ke the amount is charged to them, and
they have to make it up. It was thought that the
duties 111 the Auditor's department were more in
the nature of bookkeeping, althaagh it i?. impor-
tant that the work should be done correctlv, and
of course th< city wouldn't employ any one
unless oe did the work correctlv. It was
thought that*3000 a year was a veiv big satarv for
abookkejper. I know of no bookkeeper in a
mercantile concern who gets so large a salary as
that. Besre is no reason why
men in salaried positions should receive only
enough to procure the necessaries of life, and
support their families. Ho * has the Alderman
from Ward 17 conducted his business? He t<-ok
in you og men and gave tb&m an interest in his
business, until he lias made them worth hundreds
of thousands, fie says ha don't know a book-
keeper who receives $3000. I do, and they are
cheaper than the men you can hire for $1000.
Men living on aid supporting a faniilv on $1000 a
year must steal ; they caa't help it. It is for that
reason that I tvatn ru keep up the reputation and
credit ottneciiy; and I object to the reduction
of these salaries.
Aldermau Buriage— The Alderaian cannot sav
anything in praise of the Auditor that I would
not indorse. It is true his services as Secretary
of the Sinking Fund Commission are worth some-
thiog; but the other members, except the Treasur-
er, serve for nothitg. Aldermei »ill recollect
that $5400 is a- mucn as $6000 was three yeais
'ago. Thai must n't be lost sight of. The "com-
mittee did n't oeem it expedient to reduce the
Collector's salary, becaue he was -ppointedso
recently, and his labors are so much more than
the Treasurer'.-", although his responsibility is not
so g-eat. I thiuk the coinujuuitv is in a bad way
if every man getting onlv $1000 a year iru fi t steal ;
if it i-. so, i aoe who have anything wont have it
lo g. Avery small portion of the community re-
ceive over a thousa' d a year; a ad those are the
people who feel it more if we reduce their pay aud
don't touch those who receive higher sums. A
man should receive what he is worth, if it be ten
or twenty times as much as another. If a reduc-
tion is to be made it should be in an equal propor-
tion. There is no reason for reducing
the pav of a man who receives $2.00 per day to
$1.50 per day and not reducing those receiving
$6000 a year. There is v, surplus of labor, skilled
as well a? unskilled. It is true that a party who
has been long in a position and become conver-
sant with its duties is more valuable than a new
man at fust. I am in favor of retaioing our faith-
ful servants in Citv Hall, i»nd if ta»y take the right
vi**w ot the question, they will yield to the re-
quirements of the times. Failures are occurring
eveiyday, and «e have n't got to the bottom
yet; men in business teel it every day. We
must come down to hard pan before we
can begin to go up agani; and until we
come down to the lower plane of living, we
shall not begin to recover our former prosperity.
Alderman Stebbins— I don't «gree with the Al-
derman's doleful picture of the business of today
and the future. I think the business outlook is
better than we have seen tor some time. He savs
84
HOARD OF ALUKKMKN,
tint $6400 now i- asirood as |6000a I'-w vears
since. That in it v be nue; bnt will b-> beat iu
rmno that ten years sioor, wbil tie was doing a
successful business* leaking from $10*000 to $60,
000 a year, this same talent was encaged for the
cit> of Boston on a salary ot $8000 oi >iooo — and tluy
arc men as capable of making their mark and
furtut e as tie as. But t ey were \a the city's
employ) ami have continued for years. That is
thtii capital anil I say it is as iiiuoli entitled to in-
terest as tin' capital of Hi- Alderman or any other
man. W ' lice, the Alderman goes to his physician,
1 wonder if he says the price of A. C. A. ticks is
so much, and the fee BbOUld he icducul; and
alien the old physician shakes his head, d> es the
Alderman go to a new man and employ
li'in? No, sir. It he wacitB tiist-class tal-
ent, he calls for n and pays for it. He
doi/t apply the ten per cent, reduction, or
quote the price of standard articles of trad-- ; and
1 am a little surprised that he takes such a course
in regard to the u>eu who, bv tlieir flce'ny, have
sheu such lustie upon toe city i f Boston.
Alderman O'Brien— Business men are not so
successful ?s the Alderman says tney are. Where
one make- a foitune, like the Alderman oi my
left [Alderman Bun age], a hundred fail. You offer
a salaty of $D000 to Some of the best bu-uess men
in Boston, with a mani. al guarantee that it will
he coucu ued througb good behavior, and sc<acelv
one out or a hundred would refuse it. Men are
getting tired of the risks ot business.
Ald-rmau Bin race — 1 cannot account tor the
onslaught upon me, uml°ssit is the impertinent
allusions of some or the newspapers. They take
it for granted thai, the uawspapeis till the truth,
but tbey do not at al' times. Any man who has
succeeded in bu mes^ has doue it by prudence
and economy. He has got to ha vt the means adapt-
ed to the end. The Alderman say., I would n't
quote the price of ticks to a physician. I don't ex-
actly understand the port; but a man must exer-
cise'some decree of piudence. While we are will-
ing tu pay woat a good thing is worth, we cannot
afford to pay twice what it is wonh. I hope we
shall get hack to tilts subject under discussion.
Alderman Clark — You can purchase a few
things cheaper than a yea' or two ago; butagreat
many ot the necessaries cf life are higher than
five yearo ago— yout dentist's hills, if you please.
Alderman Thompson— Taxe«.
Alderman Clark— Your taxe9 cost you more, and
it is th- dut> of the Citv Council to do all it can—
Alderman Burrage— Thev are likely to cost more
if the Alderman's proposition is carried out.
Aldtrmao Clark — No, sir. My policy is to re-
duce appropriations to the lowest dollar, and em-
ploy honest men to distribute tnem. Instead of
spenomg miliums for streets, as we have been
compelled to do since the hie, my policy is to
spend the smallest turn imaginable for that pur-
pose. My policy is to reduce the paving appro-
priation to the smallest amount compatible with
■ he public gooa ; and so in every department—
but to keep at the head ot our departments hon-
est men, like our Superintendent of Streers,whose
place you could n't supply foi $50,000 a year, un-
til a man shall have had his experience. It would
cost $ 50,000 a j ear to make a change tb<;re. Mr.
Harris is an engineer of great experience, and oc-
cupies a position tnat a dishonest man could make
$25,000 a year in. So it is with other heads of de-
partments. Honest, tiist-class reliable men are
uot as abundant as th*\y were a few years ago.
Defalcation ana dishonesty have increased to a
very great extent dunog the last few years.
We ba\e succeeded in maintaining in " Bos-
ton a style of Government different from that
in New York. We nave had no Tweeds
heie, and dou't propose to have any. We have a
different diss of government from even the
Quaker city of Philadelphia, where, they tell me,
the chairmanship of ihe Committee on Streets is
worth $10,000 a year. I have been chairman of
that committee here for four years, and have n't
seen any such opportunity as that. It the chait-
maoshrp of streets is worth $10,000 a year, what
would the superintendent^ bs worth, "with such
large sums of money to expend?
Alderman Thompson— I seem to have been mis-
unoerstooo. I will accord to the heads of de-
partments everything that has been said of their
honestj and integrity. They are first-rate men
and should be amply paid for their services. But
the question is, were they well paid four years
ago? Either they were not paid enough then, or
they are paid too much now. Ihe c;ty is like any
other corporation. Wheu everything is success-
ful, our ship is under full >ail ; but when a heavy
squall comet, we take in sail, which is the only
safe way, and thai IS undoubtedly why our
friend [Alderman 3urrage]has bean more success-
ful than the rest of us. He reauced ois
expenses, and that i~ tiir- onlj way to no. I don't
like to -.,.<• the high salaiie-'co. titmed hire ai:d
rbfc labor! g men cut down twoi tv rive or fifty
cents a day. Times have changed outsice; why
sh mid 'ft they Change inside this bufJdii g? Mv
motion w..s to reduce the present salaries of city
officers tc . pet cent.
Aiileruiar Hull— 1 nope thatmotion will not pre-
vail. It seems to me we ought to go through the
hill and take it up lten by item. I tinu r ome re-
ceiving more iha.. they sneuld, and others itceiv-
iiii; not as much as (hey ought t~> have. Eveiy
man has his price, it is ssi.; ; and it seems to me
the true policy oi ih, citi is to pay r man just as
much '*s men of the same class gc outside of
City Hall, ano no mure. It we follow that plao,
we soallhav;th. approval of the citizens ami of
th- men them -elves. If the gentlemen whose
salau s are under discussion no the same work
as bank presidents, they should teceive the
sain- salary. I am not awaie ot any reductions
taaing place when men have oeen tried and found
hoe t. Honest men ate scarce, but we don't
know who thev are till we try them. We should
not cut down silaries until we know we can get
uew men, just is <.»ood, for th° same sum. Wo
have men ii the city employ woith from $1.50 a
oay to $10,000 a., ear, and every salary should be
fixed at just what such a m->n could get outside
of City Hall. It d«es n't do for the
city to lead iu this ura'ter, bu 1 . follow
what the community no all around us. I notice
all through th* report that salaries are left
ar such a sum that I cannot consistently vote foi.
Some Me too large; others are too small. We
should try to make them as equal as possible, and
give every ma i his due. The salaries of the men
under discus-ion are none too high for what tbey
do and toe responsibilities they are obliged to as-
sume; ana it i« doubtful if we could get men of
their capacity to fill their places for a less prr e.
It is my expenei ce that the men who are worth
high salai res are the cheapest; ami that a poor
man for a good place is the dearest. If a man is
ho?. est and we kuow we can :rust him, he is cheap
at a high salary.
Alderman W hidden— I suppose I must say ic is
a difficult subject. Every one has said so; I am
convinced of it and I ought to say so. I can't
vote for this reduction, for I don't think it is
right, l uelieve iu brains and always have be-
lieved in them since I have oeen in business. I
have failed to learn one thing from those wno
have spoken, and about wbicD I don't feel satis-
fied. All there salaried men who have bad so
much labor imposed upon them bav^ also bad a
large amount of clerical assistance, and
where their salaries nave been increased,
their assistants' salaries have been in-
creased also. I should like to see a portion of
the clerk hire disueused with if we can, so that
those who ts ant high salaries can be justified in
getting them. I want those who do the work to
have the pay, and I want all to be paid for what
they eari. ; and I want to cut do'vn the salaries of
those who have no brains and whose positions
are sinecuies, so that nobody will want them. If
those who come here early in the morning
and stay till late at night and do the
■work, are not to get the pay, I shall
vote against it. Tbeie are some who sit
here till midnight. I am told by the City Clerk
that it is often near midnight before he gets
through his work. The salary he has is none too
much. There are some whose salaries should be
reduced, for they do not give an equivalent for
what tbey receive.
Alderman O'Brien— 1 believe the Alderman who
has just spoken has struck the key note of this
matter. If we could dispense with the superflui-
ties, be relieved of the uead-heaus and get rid of
the men wno do no work and draw full pay, I
don't believe we would waut to reduce. But the
fact is you cannot relieve yourselves of them.
They will stay aud you have to vote their salaries,
no matter how little labor they perform. If we
could relieve ourselves of these sinecures, wo
could make still greater reductions.
Alderman Burrage— A majority of the employes
work hut seven hours a day, and that should be
taken into recount. The heads of departments
work much longer. The clerks come at nine, have
an hour at dinner, and go away at five, and thev
FEBRUARY 14, 1876
85
■are pretty prompt in going away. Thera are some
•exceptions to that, I koo;v; but I speak of ihe
majority*
AJder'nao O'Brien called for th? ye is and nays
and thu motion (to reduce ten per cent, on pres-
ent salaries) was los( — yeas 3, nays 9.
Yeas— Aldenneo Burnbam, O'Bnen, Thompson
—3.
Nay? — Alrieimen Bigelow, Burrage, Clark, Hull,
Popf, Samps(in, Steori is, Viles, Whidden- 9.
On motion of Alaerman Stebbine., a recess of
half an hoar was tak^n.
Alderin-tn Clari in vhe cbair.
Alderman O'Brit-u iu pursuance of his pievious
statement offeied the following as a substitute for
thd salary bill:
Or>eteo., Th'-'t the salaries of the various city
•offiC'rs and employes in the service of the city be
continued at present rates until otherwise ordered
by to 3 City Council.
Aid rman Scebbios called attention to the fact
ttat u was mo:e s^'fepiDg than the bill.
Alderman Bijeiow suggested trial it include
employe-: within City Hall.
Alderman Burrags said it was an extraordinary
proposition ana b- didn't know on fv bat ground
Alderman O'BriPn could justify hi usrlf. The
:oroeis proDOsed to save over #200,000, and this
seemed to 'oe treating it ratber childish, because
•one ot two items in the flrsc ordei bad not passed.
Ald'-imau O'Brien was satisfied, from the dis-
eussion, that very little reduction will be made.
and if they don't reduce tne City CUrk, Auditor
and rres surer, any o'ber.s they might mak« will
be unequal aDQ uujuct. It woul 1 loo£ likf favor-
itism, lr hid been remarked tha* the Collector's
offlc- 1 is afavotite with the Salai.v Committee. If
tfe-e officers are i.ot to be reducer, h- would op-
pose reducing tbefiiereu and tjolicen en, where
more thau half the recuction is embraced.
Alderman Bunage thought Alderman O'Brien
had better wait till a vote mad teen taken before
saying that.
Aloermau O'Brien said the last vote settled the
matter.
Alderman S ebbins did n't like the wording of
the order^ and offeied the following a» an amend-
ment:
Ordered, That tne salaries established by the
City Council for the several officers of the City
Governmect be coctinued fiom April 1, 187G, at
the rates now paid, a>Jd until otnerwiss ordered.
Aidermaa O Brien accspteo the amend aient.
Alderman Barrage called tor the yeas and nays,
and the order was passed to a second reading —
yeas 9, jiays 3.
Yeas — Aldermen Bigelow, Burnham, Clark, Hull;
O'Brien, Pope, Stcbbinr, Thompson, Viles— 9.
Navs — Aldermen jBuirage, Sampson, YVhidden
-3.
Th= order was passed — yeas 9, nays 3; the same
as before.
On motion of Alderman O'Bnen, the Board ad-
journed.
86
COMMON COUNCIL,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
FEBRUARY 17, 187(3.
Regular meeting at 7 l / 2 o'clock P. IX,, J. Q. A
BracKeu, Pi evident, in the chair.
PAPERS FROM. THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Petitions weie referred in concurrence.
Recommitment to the Commi'i/'ee on Claims of
au order to i>ny Stephen H. Taroell for work on
Francis- street Sebo<>lhou>e. Concurred.
Reporr of leave to withdraw on petition of A. I).
Pattee <fc Co. to be paid fo«" injuries (o their car-
riage on Bennet srreet. Accepted in concurrence.
Order tor the Mayor to petition the Geneial
Courc lor an amendment to r he act lelati .g to the
sealir g of weights and measure*. Reao twice and
passed in concurrenc.- 1 .
Order for the Committee on Strert^ to report
whether the building owned by the city at the cor-
ne* of State and Congit-ss stieets cannot be al-
lowed io renidin for a tew years and be occupied
by the city for some of its depaitinents. Read
twice and passed iq concurrence.
Order that the Commit 'ee o» Tieasury Depart-
ment be requested to consider the expediency of
providing bv orokni ce that the clerk of ihe East
Boston Kernei shall be a deputy collector. Read
twice and pas ed in corcurrence.
Report aud order for the Chief of Police to no-
tify those having; charge of telegiaph wiies which
aie stietched diagouall\ across str-ets below the
e'»ve« of the building's, to readjust the same so as
noi tointerfeie with the e'evation of ladoers in
ca.se of fire. Order read twice and passed in con-
cuirence.
Report and order to remit $1238 assessed upon
the Meicactile Wharf Coiporatio.i, ano based up-
on the valuation of 30,137 square feet of 'ai d now
incluiied in Clinton ana Richmond streets. Order
passed to a, second reading;.
Report of inexpedient to abolish the office of
Harcoi Master, or to trausfe 1- the duties to the
Police Department. Accepted in concuirence.
THE DISTRICT-COURT SYSTEM.
A repoit and orders came down requesting the
Mayor to petition the General Court for a
thoiougn investigation of the municipal ami po-
lice district court system of the State, with the
view of 'eorgaiiizing the same for the purpose of
securing a more economical and efficient method
cf transacting business; and also for the passage
of an act providing that the salaries paid to con-
stables of the fuo 1 rior and Municipal courts shall
be proportioned to the servue rendered, all fees
now accruing to said officers to be paid into the
Cditoty treasury.
The question was on giving the orders a second
reading.
Mr. Mav o c Ward 24 — The report which you hold
in v our band, sir, has just been called io my at-
tention, aoo it mikes me as meaning much more
than it appareiitly ooes. Io this county we have,
with some care, organized a system of ad-
ministering justice, which has just got
into working o der. The Committee on
Counrv Accounts, having been instructed to
inquire icto the action ad operation of these
courts, «itb reference to the expenditures, have
tounu that thy don't pay. Well, sir, I suppose
tney don'f pay. f never kne * a court of ju-tice
that was a source of ievenu%andl never knew
that courts of justice were e^tabli-het to be
sources of revenue. I believe if «ill be found up-
on investigation tnat the expenses of the Mncici-
pal or Central Police Court ot Boston largely ex-
c-ed the lLCome. I am only sueakiog of my itn-
pr«S"iou is to this court. A* the purpose of the
committee was to leduce expenditures, not (snor-
ing exactly what el etoio about this thicg, they
recommended what? Tiay lecomn erd that ve
petition the Legislature to do something— they
non't sa\ what. We are t" go io the Legislature
and ask for nobody knows what,— exceDt that tb« y
will no sotLfcihing." Now.it seems touetbat we
had bet 1 tr raise an nquiry n to the working of
t^e system which has been < rgacized and is now
in full ooeration, if we want to reorganize it; see
if «<e can i>n prove, say substantially how we
v ou'd Use to have it xeorgaurzed, and then goto
the Legislature and ask for that. This is a matter
of veij great delicacy. These courts may or may
not be self sustaining— in my judgment to court
ever will be— and theie may be a disproportionate
cost at present) because 'beie may be a compara-
tively trifling business; but everybody knows that
these suburbs are growing rapidly, and if we
should abolish or change these courts today the
suburbs inignt come in here next year aud say
we must have a court. It is a delicate matter to
move in, and it seems to ue it should not be
pressed at present. I move that the subject be
Hid on the table.
Ibe motion pieviiled.
ELECTIONS.
Certificates were received fiom the other
branch, ballots were oroered, ano the following
elections oecuned:
Overseers of the Poor. Certificate of the elec-
tion of KteoeriC W. Lincoln, Washn g-ton L. Pres-
ent', Phineas M. Crane and Thomas F. Temple a ■:
Overseers of the Poor. Committee — Messrs. Sib-
ley of Ward 5, D. Doherty of Ward 7, Osborne of
Ward 12.
Whole number ot ballots 59
Necessary for a cheice 30
Frederic W. Lincoln had 58
Washington L. Prescott 58
Phineae M. Crane 59
Thomas F. Temple 59
And they were declared elected in concurrence.
Member of Vochituate Water Board. Certifi-
cate of the election of Augustus Paiker as a mem-
ber of the Cochituate Water Boaro, in place of
Charles E. Rice, chos-n by this Council. Com-
mittee—Messrs. Felt of Waid 18, Webster of Ward
1, Mullen of Ward 13.
Whole number of ballots 81
Necessary for a choice 31
Augustus Parker had 33
Charles E. Rice had 28
And Mr. Parker was declaied elected in concur-
rence.
THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM.
A report aiid oicers came dovn requesting tne
Mavor to petition the General Court for tne pas-
sage 01 an act authorizing the city to take such
land as may be needed for the constroctioD and
maintenance ot a main sewer across or under
tioe wafer to that part of Quincv known as Squan-
tum, aad from thence to Moon Island; also for
authority to take laid for pumping woiksacd
reservoirs in the city and said Quiacy; also for an
act to regulate the construction and maintenance
r>f severs by the ccmbiued action of adjoining
municipalities.
The orders were read twice and put opoo their
passage.
Mr. Train of Waid 20— It seems to use, as was
remarked in the Boaio of Aldermen, we are rather
premature in this matter. We hardly know what
we are voting for. So many new ideas have been
introduced and published i'o the papers since the
1 eport of the Sewerage Commission was submit-
ted that I think it is propet that the City Council
should hesitate befcie tending a petition to the
Legisl cure for anything when they don't really
know what they are asking for. I noticed an ar-
ticle in the Advertiser, troposing a scheme which
1 thu k has a great deal of merit, at least so far a«
•he exyt-nse goe s , and if it could be adopted it
willbrf a gi eat saving to the city of Boston. Heard
the *rgament of Mr. OtisClapp before lheco:nmit-
tee, and I think there is merit in it. The report
of the commission has had the desire 1 effect of
awakening people's ideas on the subject, and be-
tween now and anctbei fall we shall get such
information as will form a good basis to woik
upon; but I do not believe we should go to the
Legislature, while the subject is in this crude
state, ar a ask permission to establish a line cf
sewerage 1 hat we might wis n to alter by and by.
Of cou r se. the argurnsnt will be u c ed that there
will be no harm m getti ig that authority; but, sir,
the labors of the legislative committee have been
very arduous, and they have worn out a great
many pairs of boots in getting up to the State
House. Unless scmstning is introduced which
that coinmitiee can indorse and work for, I must
object to it. Therefoie, I move that the matter be
lai 1 03 the table. I hope to hear an expn ssion of
oiicion floor the uembers ot the Council on the
sulvp cf.
Mr. Sampson of Waid 17 — Tbis does rot commit
the city to any scheme whatever, tor the commit-
tee ha,ve not yet come to any conclusion or adopt-
ed any scheme. But it any scheme is to be adopt-
ed, before the work can be done it will be neces-
sary to get authority from the Legislature at this
session, or else the work would be delayed another
FEBRUARY 17
187('i.
87
year. This is not for the purpose of fixing any
particular scheme upon the city of Boston ; but in
case the recommendations of the commission—
whicb have been examined by the committee at
several meetings — should be adopted, it will be
necessary 10 have this legislative action, and it
was deemed best by the committer to apply to the
Legislature at th's session for the necessary
authority. That is the purport of ih.-s.- orders.
It is important to act at once, as all new business
must be sent to the Legislature before Feb. 22.
Mr. Train— The "sry point f laiseo is, 'Whether
the report from the comndssionsrs is the one we
axe satisfied we should advocate, ihe gentleman
very property says tbat if we adopt that repot c -*e
must have legislative action upon it. I doubt
very much whether this is the plan we shall adopt.
I am satisfied we are not goiug to the expeuse,
this year, that v ill be lequired to start this
sobeni< . We should get the plans pie pared and
perfecterl, so that we c-n go to the Legislature
next year with a oefinite scheme, as a not have
to go another year with another plan. The
plan submitted by the commissioners may be
changed. Let me illustrate my point. The
ciry of Bangor started to get a supply of
water, and employed engineers ot undoubted tal-
ent, the same as we ha /e had her. —but 1 aelieve
in a little young blood ; 1 don't believe that young
entiinerrs can always do the best work, for young
men have crams as well as old ones. Well, the
city of Bangor applied for water, and the Board
of Aldermen pasted in order for a milliou dollars,
bill, before it passed the other branch, ib.-y hap-
pened to get bolu if tne Holly system, 'jy which
the city could be supplied with water for less than
$ 200,000-$190,000, 1 think. Instead ot spend ng a
million dollars, they got euougu water to flow the
whole city for only .f 190,000. That is where the
new ideas of younger biains tnumohed over the
ola eugiueers who had pionounced on the first
project, and I don't see why it may not occur
here. I oon't mean to say anything against the
ability or expeneuce of th? SeA-erage Commission ;
but I do sa.v tbat others have some idea' , which
may be put to some utility, as was done in th
Bangor case.
Mr. Pit ret of Ward 24— As has already l-eeu
said, 1 think the committee has not yet determined
upon aw definite line of action consequent upon
ttie petitiou to tfce legislature. It is '■imply tnac
if any system or plan of this nature, or rather if
any portion of this plan, should be adopted, we
tun have an opportunity to act some time befoie
the next meetiog of the Legislature. It may take
all summer to perfect plans; and peihaps it is not
improbable that this plao will • ot be adopted.
But if any plan is adopted, if we do not secure this
authority it will pievectanv action bemg taken un-
der contracts to be let for work which might be
profitably done next fall or winter. Some of the
proposed excavations are so deep that they eaa
be done in the winter. The geuileman 'from
Waul 20 alluded to au article in the AdvertUer.
I presume it wi« the one published two or three
days ago, and as 1 recollect, it referred simply to
taking care of tide wattr, which affects certain
localities, and it din not piovide for the care of
the sevage, which this plan is intended to do.
Therefore it seems to me tbat plan would have uo
effect upon this matter of sewerage. I think this
imponant action should be taken, although it
does not commit the Council to spend a, dollar.
Mr. Tram— The matter of tide water covers just
what we wait to do,— which is to lessen the death
rate in this city. To do th.twe must get rid of
toe dirty water, and if it can be done by "boxing"
it will be cheaper than an expensive sewer. I
don't object to the sewer, but I say, give us a
definite plan to act upon.
Mr. Peabody of Ward 11 — Later in the >ear 1
have no ooubt we shall thoroughly discuss this
whole subject; but what position should we oc-
cupy if we laid this matter on the table, now, as
desired by the gentleman from Ward ?0? If we
should ueci'ie rot to acopt the plau proposed by
the commissioners, to whom we have paid
a large sum or money, and on« of whom
Wis sent to Eiii ope at great expense, then
wo should n't have done ourselves any
harm b> l^yiog it on the table now. But if we de-
cide to adopt the plan, then « e shall have tied
ourselves up for a y* ar. If we get legislative per-
mission now, we will be free to act it we want to.
Tne only argument I heard the gentleman from
WjiiI 20 biing forward was that the duties of the
legislative committee are somewhat arduous.
That seems to have hardly weight enough to
cause us to sacufice so important an advantage as
we can have by putting these orders into the Legis-
lature before Feb. 22. It can't do us any harm,
and it maj be very seiviceable.
The motion to table was lost, aad the orders
were passed in concurrence.
SALARIES OF CITY OFFICERS.
An order that the sauries established by the
City Council for the several officers ot the city be
continued from April 1, 1876, at the ia es now
paid, until otherwise ordered, came down, substi-
tuted fur the report r>f the Committee on Sal-
aries. (City Document No. 22.)
Mr. Howes of Ward 18 mov- d to substitute tor
the above order the orders reported by the com-
mittee in City Document 22.
Mr. Howes— It is an exceedingly hard duty to
advocate the cutting down or salaries in an} par-
ticular and it i? a thankless duty, as well, in the
conversations I have bad with various members of
the Council and some of the Board of Alaeimen,
I have yet to find one person satisfied with the
bill reported by the committee. A few are
opposed to making any cha ge whatever ; some
saw aa individual fault .^no overlooked wnatever
of good there is io the bill. It must be evident to
ail that ths public demand a lower grade of ex-
] ense than has prevailed for the last few years.
As the leport says, there has been a steady in-
crease in the salaries of city officials since 1860,
atid as has been shown by the speeches in the
other branch, ch~ expessu of iiving for the last
lew years has been decidedly less than during the
yeais icllowii sr the close of the war. The com-
mittee nave endeavored to follow a uniform plan,
that is, cutting dovn at the raie of ten per cent.,
and in a few r cases where the salaries have been of
recent creation tbe\ have been untouched. This
seem°a to be the only fair way of disposing of it.
There arc certain amendment s that I thii.k the com-
mittee would make if the ralary bill were adopted,
from the fac tbat they have had more time to look
into the, subject. By the oroer ot ttid Aldermen,
the committee weie obliged to report the bill by
the 7th of this month and tnere was not time to
give it more thorough consideration, although the
committee sat till after mia eight. The adtresse*
made in the other branch, io opposition to a
change, seem to be very tutile l ideed. Several
gentleu en instanced c.tses drawn fioni mercantile
lit« as a reason why the salarias should be allowed
to remain as they are. Most of th^se illustrations
are not correct. One geutleman said —
"Several insuiance ccmpaoies pay their presi-
dents as high as $10,000 a year; one pays $8000;
two pay $7000, one $0500, two $6000 and two $5500.
The salaiiei of the secretaries lange from $3000 to
$4000."
Unfortunately foi the force of that argument,
those salaries were paid before the Boston tire,
and I doubt whether there is a president of a Bos-
ton insuiai'ce company at present receiving
$10,000 a year. Salaries w-re cut down after the
fire because the companies could n't afford to pay
them; and yet the officers' experience was just as
good after as before the fire. It was found neces-
saty to cut oown, on account of restricted in-
come, which was done in some cases 40 or 50 per
cent. Oar City Government is in very much the
same condition ; foi the citizens of Boston are re-
stricted in eveiv way and are likely to b« more so.
I should like to be shown a man in business who
has made as much money during the pascyearas
he did two or three years ago; certainly he would
be an anomaly. If that applies to the citizens it
ought certainly to apply to tho city. The city
draws its sinews from the citizens; ar.d it the city
is restricted, it must tell upon those employed by
the city, the fact that a gentleman wno receives
$50,000a year as treasurer of a large manufactur-
ing corporation has been useo as an argument for
paving our officials a very large salary
Now, sir, Mr. Edniauds is p.-,id that sal-
ary because oe is worth that amount to the
company; the company received for several
years past twenty pei cent, dividends on the par
value of the stock. Let the dividends be reduced
to j-.ny extent, and I do not hesitate to say, from
having inquired very closely into p.e matter, that
Mr. Edmaiids's salary .vould be "docked" very
quickly. Another argument has been used that
tne expense of living for these offict rs is very high.
Indeed, one gantuman said it was hard tor offi-
cials to get along and they were obliged tc steal,
and that the miserable pi^aoce of $5000 a year
was hardly enough to keep soul and body togeth-
S8
COMMON C O l X ( ! I L* .
er. That may be one fol in of argument, bar that
is not the school of economy and morality in
which 1 have been br .light up, and 1 trust that
most of the city officials havr not betu educated
i>' it. I tiust this bill will be taken up md dis-
cussed. Certain par. s may be amended, but as a
wholi it will effect economy. Gentlemen ate
willir... to talk economy, out when it come* to ac-
tion they seem reluctant to put themselves for-
ward.
Mr. Gray— ] hardly think we re ready in debate
this subject and I hype W shall t'-ike nrne to un-
derstand it. I hope we shan't get into such a
muddle as the Alcermen did. It seemed to int that
one was seated and ihe other dares n't. I can't
understand how they came to the decision they
did. 1 move that it be specially assigned to
Wednesday evening next and that we then go into
committee of the whole with closed doors. 1 don't
believe we wad to talkbuncowoe and have every-
thing put in the newspapers. We waot to do
ihai is right for the citizens and taxpayers in a
rational manner.
The President — i he motion will rot be in order
now; thegenrleman can move to specially assign
it to the next meeting.
Mi. Gray— The*) I move to assign it to the next
meeting at 7 l / a o'clock P. M.
Ir. Jaques of Waid 11 — Whatever action may
be tafceii 1 hope the order trom the Aldermen will
not be a 'opted, out that further inquiiy may ue
made. As ooe ot ths uniortunate members of the
Sa'ary Commiit e, 1 should like to say that it is
almost impossible for any coiumttee to do justice
to the subject in the tune alloweC. In most cases
the committee is composed of new members who
are called upon to decide upon the pioper
salary tor each person employed , in and
outside of City Hall, and the only basis they have
toaci upon is the salary bill of last year. The
grand difficulty lyitg at the bottom "of all this
trouble meet them at the outset. The salary bill
ot last year throws no light upon the all-impor-
tant subject whether the scale, of prices is correct,
whether the pay ot the different departments is
lelatively right, whether one d-partmeut employs
more clerks than it needs, whether one depart-
ment has less clerbs thau it should have. Some
of the gentlemen in the othei branch who op-
posed the report, and in some eases ridiculed it,
were the very ones who insisted upon having it
made at so early a date, whe-i they kiew there
was no chance and no time to make the necessa-
ry investigation. The committe called upon
tha he d of each department to aiswei certain
interrogatorips, and the replies were uniformly to
the effect (with one exception) that no reduction
could be made either in toe wages or number of
clerks, consistently with the public service ; so
that after receiving the answers the committee
were just where they weic before the inquiries
were made. I would take thi* opportunity to
offer a suggestion, which, although it will be of
no di\ect service at this moment, it seems to me
is an impoitant one; and it is, that taking
into account this difficulty winch the Sal-
ary Committee meets everv yeai, there should
be a committee — either this standing com-
mittee or a special one — who should have
the outy assigned them duntg the rest ot
this year — even if it takes tne whole of it— oi mak-
ing a thorough investigation, and ascertaining
whether thp proper number of clerks is employed,
and whether the salaries paid aie in proportion to
the services rendeted. After makir.g their in-
vestigations they could report towaids th* closing
hours ot the year, which report would go upon file
for the information of a similar committee iu the
succeeding Government. In that way something
might be accomplished ; out, tf the order passed
by the Aldetmeu should be concurred in by this
branch, the effect will be to perpetuate what every
man in this Counci 1 knows is not a fair basis.
Theie are some offices which are perfect sinecures,
while some officers ate overworked. The coamiit-
t°e endeavored to do their duty according to the
information before them, wh'ch was not what it
should have been.
Mr. Flynn of Ward 13—1 hope the motion for a
secret session will not ore vail, because the public
should see the discussions which take place ou
the character of city officers. We have plenty of
time, it being six weeks before the orders will
take effect.
Mr. Gray— I am willing the public should hear
the discussion ; but the Aldermen have eulogized
the citv officers as much as is necessary this year,
and I think we could go into committee of the
whoie without baring matters g<> Into the paperf t
•tnd I believe it will be bettrr.
Mr. Shav ot Ward l!t— I don't know whether it
was a misfortune 01 not, but I wa- also upon that
committee. 1 can no*: agiee with > he gentleman
from Ward 14, for I don't think the committee of
the whole can get along any better than a com-
mittee of five, because thev will h ve to r ly upon
the heads of departments as »c did. All :he heads
of depa-tnients we received reports trom were
unanimous for keeping salaries where ihey are
no*. I don'i know whethei a proper investiga-
tion could be made in a year or not, for we would
b, ve to be in the department- to know what is
done. 1 don't believe in doing bu-nn ss with
closed doors. I am willing all my actions shall he
known by the public.
Mr. Gray — My motion is to assigu to a future
meeti *g. The committer of tr-e whole can be de-
cided on heieafier.
Mr. Shaw— Whatever n aon , i trust that action
vi iT I be taken tonight.
Mi. Howes — The only leason for not wishing to
have this matter deferred to any great length of
tine is ihe fact that the salaries have to go into
the Auditor's estimates. I'or that reason it ought
to be decided ronight or tomorrow, if possible.
Mi. Veabody of Ward 11-Those of u* t bo re-
ine Tiber the experie ce of two years ago will ^ear
witness that it is no trifling matter to take up this
salarj bill and discuss it in detail. Two years ;,gu
we took it up, and one member vould move that
the salary of his friend be raised a little, and an-
other that the salary or his friend b incr'ased,
ano so o ., in til alter uebati g it till elev. n
o'clock for four or five eveuin=:s in succession, we
thiew up the whole tbmg and went back to toe
biigmal leport as recommended by trie Salary
CommiUee. In that way toui or fi\ r e tvenings
wer- wasted, and I am very' much afraid it will be
the case if we take this matter up in committee of
the who!*-. The salaries must be fixed bv long,
i-atient investigation end deiioeratiou, as my coi-
leagne suggests. I should be /l?o to suooort the
report, for I feel that they deserve honor for their
courageous way of handling thi« most perplexing
and disagreeable subject. It is one of the most
disagreeable things to handle that aDy member of
this Government gets hold ot. But ii does not
:eem to me to be discreet to enter upou this in-
discriminate reduction. Doubtless many salaries
could be reduced i nd we should n't lose the man
from our service; but I am sure there are others
of more importance tbf.t this reduction might de-
prive us of. \Ye all kno <v of what trifling conse-
quence the amount of a salary is in comparison to
ability. I recall an instance *here the treasurer
of a maoufa' turiLg company died, a new treasur-
er was appointed, and each had a salary of $5000.
Inmakijg purchases tor the company, the new
treasurer saved $5000 for the company in r-ix
months trom the prices paid by tne old treasurer.
I recall the president of a railioad, who, m the
first veil' of his service, saved the company
$25,000 in fuel alooe. Mr. A. T. Siewa'-t,
who, it seem- to uif>, is second to no man I ever
came iu contact witb, in his capacity to organize
and tnaoage tne hundred'-, of men ui.der his con-
trol, said to me once, "I never reduce a man's
pay. It he is n't wor h the salary I am paying
him, we part." When you consider that we have
a City Engineer who is a man of very marked abil-
ity, and must havr charge ot enterprises involving
millions of dollais, to rut. tha risk ot losing
him by reducing his pay $500 is a very serious
matt-r. I should n't be willing to vote tor any bill
which contained that reduction. I may mentiou,
too, that when the late City Treasurer died,
and the Committee on the Treasury were in-
structed to select a new Treasu.-er, several gsntle-
men of k..own standing and integrity were sug-
gested to them as qualified for the post. Of
course, as was their duty, the commifee talked
witb very many to see how they fell, and the re-
ply that w .s almost invariably received was. '1
can do better than the salaiy \ou propose to pay."
It seems to me that the wisest thing we cau no is
■to pass this order just as it came from the Alder-
men, and then I should be very glad to see some-
thing done in the diiection of the suggestion of
my colleague — which I think was a very wise one
— that during this year tnere saouid be a careful
investigation into these city departments, io find
out where we can ledace salaries without impair-
ing the efficiency of tne city service, and let that
principle oe apoiied to the salaries of tbe cooaiug
vear, if possible.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5— The question now before
FEBRUARY 17, 1876.
89
the Council, I admit, is one of tbe hardest to get
at of auy that comes bet ore us. As was al'uded
to by the gentleman who has just taken his seat,
two years ago motions were made to raise the sal-
aries of tuends. I made such a motion in regard
to the Superintendent of Streets. He is my friend,
but i 1 " was not from friendship that I made the
motion. His salary was $3600; by annexation we
adoed 120 miles of streets to bis care, and if he
was worth $3600 before, he ought to liars had ex-
tra pay for the additional work. No o. e said he
was i.'t worth it before. It was carried here, de-
feated in 'he Aldermeu, and a •onfeieflce com-
mittee pi iced it at $3800, where it remain*. But
times have changed. A great deal of economy is
talked about. Is it all talk, or do we met-.* it? Is
it a time tor retrench meet: or is it like
apoliical convention which talks letrencbment,
nomiuates and elects candidates, and you never
hegr of letreuehment afterwards. I *"ant to hud
out what man earns his mocev, and I want him to
get it. If a man earns more, 1 wane him to get
more; but if men have merely nominal positions,
and dimply draw their pay, I wish to know i htm.
My persi rial feelings wo ikl not enter into it. If
the times demand lower salaries, let us meet them.
I have no doubt the committee 'aborea hard, and
their repoit is cS fair a-, we could expect. The
ten per cent, reduction i< very sweeping. I tbiuk
many of tin smaller salaries snould not lae re-
duced. The question is, do they earn tbe
money? How can we regulate "it? It is
impossible. Individual interests apply to the
city, and 1 am unable to say what it is best to do.
I have r^ad «nd reread the report and still am not
well enough informed to vote intelligently tonight.
I hooe it will be assigned to the text meeting of
the Council.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9— I am inclined ti> think
that the action of tbe Aldermen has pretty well
settled the fact that these salaiies are i.ot going
to be cut oown according to the report of the com-
mittee, and that no such general reduction is to
be made. I suppose that it is a vvtll-founded fact
that some men are paid a good deal more than
their services we worth. It has been proposed to
pass thb order as it stands and tiien leave the
Committee on Salaries to regulate the thii.g
lat-r In ttie year. The difficulty is, the com-
mittee will iec''inmend some action to be taken
next year; but such a report will have very little
*»vight, as perhaps no member ot it would be re-
turned. Sucn a report would rather be a waste
of powder. Then consideiing what human nature
is, we can't expect a committee to woik very hard
after a thing has been settled for the year. It is
one of those things tnat will b . very likely to be
neglected. I would move that the subject be
recommitted to the Committee on Salaries, witn
instiuctions to revise the list without making any
general reouction therein. I assume— perhaps I
Sim precipitate in doing so — that we are not pre-
pared ro make & general reduction, bat that we do
think the li: t ought to bs looked over and tiie
salaries reduced m some case. The com-
mittee have reduced some >alaiies more, some less,
and some not it all; and if we recommit it, and
give them a chauce to look over the thing again,
nut with a view of making a ten per cent i educ-
tion all around, but to keep tne list substantially
as it is— as I understand the Couucil wishes — we
may g6t nectier an approximate equality of sala-
ries man we ever had befoie. I oon't see why the
committee cannot oo it at th* present time. The
Auoitor is required to rende, his e tin.ates during
the month of February, ano if this report is not in
in time he can base his estimates on last year's
salaries. I don't see any insuperable difficulty iu
the matter of time, and it would give us au oppor-
tunity to make the salaries more in piopo/tion to
the value of the s rvices of the different officers.
Mr. Howes— The gentleman from Ward 9 is al-
together tto full of presumption. Iu the first
place he assumes that the Council will uot adopt
the report of the committee, or any report looking
to a ten per cent, reduction. Toen he presumes
that if the committee have something referred bo
them for next year's action, and they report on it,
that next year's Council will not act upon it. For
my part I think the gentleman presumes without
any giound fct presumption, and if he had been
on tti: Salary Committee, he would have bad his
ideas upon the subject considerably enlightened.
The work of dfter mining ht,w salaries can be
adjusted is one of the most difficult a
committee caa enler upon. It would need an
investigation into every department to find out
tbe work done by the chiet officials and the clerks
under them. It was my misfortune to be upon a
committee to systematize the method of book-
keeping in the different deoartments. The work
seemed very simple, but when undertaken it was
found to be very difficult, and it would be neces-
sary for one or two of the committee to stay about
a week in each department to aceu-tom* them-
selves to toe manner of carrying on that depart-
ment. The labor- proposed tor 'he Salary Com-
mittee would take about ttiirty weeks at least. I
certainly hope the report will do' be recommitted.
The Pi evident — Tbe motion to recommit is not
in ordtr while amotion to assign is peuding.
M"\ Train — RetreocUmen t is in order at any
time, of course. All approve it, and appreciate
the motive, and this seems to be a special year for
starting out with the idea of retrenchment, and it
strikes me that the reductions of sal -lies might
be done this year. It is to be for one year only,
and they can bd increased nex, year. While busi-
ness is so depressed an>i real estate is reduced,
everything must come c own to hardpan. Parties
who have been receiving interest from i i vestment
receive nothing now, and they are living on less
money. It seems t<> me that those receiving
salaries should be satisfied with l-:ss. I can't
afford to spend money as I did last year, for I
don't receive as much, ana my chrk should n't
expect to receive or spend so much. 1 don't be-
lieve that one of the city employes would ieruse
ro accept tbe reouction, for I don't believe they
could get is much money anywhere else. I don't
mean to discuss tbe whole question now, but I
want members to bear in mind that it is a special
thing for this year, when it seems eminently
proper That a reduction should, be made.
Mr. Guild of Ward 9 — 1 believe as mticb in re-
trenenment as auy member of the Council; but
tnere seems to be a general feeling tnat there is
an inequality about tbe reductions in t&is report,
and that teo per cent, from first to last is rather
t»o sleeping. I think that almost all ot us could
put our fingers uoon certain officials who certainly
will not suttei if tbeir salaries are reduced; hut
there are others — especially those whose salaries
are below $1000— to whom a reduction ot ten per
cent, would be as much a distress as if the reduc-
tion
Mr. .Toques— No such reduction is made in sala-
lies of less than $1000.
Mr. Guild— 1 think there is a reduction in the
pay of the police, a'>d I still uiaiutain tne position
1 have taken, that there are many salaries in tnis
bill which ought not to be i educed. We hive
goon and efficient me.n ii our service, and the
amouot we should lose bj a change is not to be
compaied with tne $500 or $200 *e should save by
a reduction. it appears by the report that the
committee proposed to reduce about every man a
certain percentage. Now, I think if we vote this
assignment motion down and lecommit ihe bill,
the committee would bring in a more satisfactory
one. Ot course tilt most feasible wav would be
to take up each one of the salaries seriatim,
but that would requite so much time that
we natm a'ly shrink from the task. The next
best ihi g is to reiei it back to the commitiee.
They know the temper of the Coui-cil and the
people better now, and can bettei judge what
salaries should De reduced. Of course they have our
warmest svmpathy in the woik they have had todo,
and indeed I heartily congratu'ate myself that 1
was not appointed upon that committee, for if I
had been, its arduous duties might almost make
me stand up against a recommitment. But that
••eems to be tbe most feasible way to get at the
nratrer, otufrwise gentlemen who thick no ma-
terial reduction should be made in certain salaries
will be forced to vote aga'nst the bill as it stands,
because in voting for it, they would be com ^elled
to vote tor reductions rhev do not believe in.
That is just exactly the way I look at it, and I
think tbe vie* taken by my colleage presents a
good way of meeting the question.
Mr. Gray— My only object was to secure delay
and I will withdraw the motion to assign and move
that tbe whole subject be recommitted to ihe
committee.
Mr. Morrison— If tne gentleman will inform me
how we are going to get any more information
than we have at present I will consent to dispose
of it in that way; but I don't see how we can.
Many gentlemen in the Courcil know as much
about th» duties of city officers as the committee
do, aad I think the whole Council can investigate
the subject as thoioaghly as any committee can.
Ioou'tsee how thev are going to improve the
report.
90
COMMON COUNCIL,
Mr. Ciockcr it seems to me if" th.' committee
dad done theii duty tbev would have known move
about the subject tnan we do, who are not sup-
posed m have paid a gri at deal of attention to the
special question ol th< salaries of e cb officer.
Tb6y have reported oq t be basis <>f a general re-
duction. Now, lat u> -ei.d it back with the inti-
mation that w don't want a general reduction,
but such alterations as they may deem expedient,
which is a request they e .11 readily comply with,
I trust ihev will give us a report that will stann in
a better liirbt than ilns doe-.
Mr. Guild — I believe 1 was correct that the po-
licemen's pav had been reduced, i find among
the orders m the salary that the pay of the police-
men sha'l he at the rate of $2.75 a day. I ilnnk
that if a policeman is worth anything he is worth
$3 a dav. If we have n't a policmi m worth 93 a
day, the best thing to ao in co get tld of him. I
don't wane to reduce toeir uay oecause we reduce
those of men receiving $6000 or $6000. The twenty-
five oi thirty cents a dny is worth more to those
men than the : $500 or $600 to tli - others. When
you begin to reduce official salaries under aiiooo,
it is n't always safe to cut; but when you take
$300 or $500 from a man receiving $5000 or $6000,
he may not feel it because his brains are of such
value that he may turn a little money elsewhere;
Dttt your $1000 man, as a general thing, can't do it
hon stly. I think my friend in the opposite cor-
ner of the hall [Mr. Jaques] is mistaken in saying
I was in error.
Mi. Jaques — I should like the gentleman to
make a mathematical calculation. Three dollars
a day amounts to $1095 a year, a:'d a redu ;tion of
twenty five cents per day comes to $91, leaving a
little over $1000. My point is that the uniform re-
duction of ten per cent, applied only to salaries
exceeding $1000.
Mr. Fly n o—l would call attention to the fact
to? t in 1870-1 the First Assistant Citv Mes> enger's
salaiy was only $800, and now you propose to re-
duce him $100, The econd assistant gets only
$600 aud you propose ro reduce htm to $500.
Mr. Jaques— That is not a reduction of ten per
cent. My remark— aod I repeat it — was that the
reduction was at the uniform rate of ten per cent,
except in a few cases.
A. Member —It is more.
Mr. Jaques— I am veil aware it is more than ten
per cent, when applied to salaries of $1000 aud up-
wards, but in some special cases arbitrary reduc-
tions were made without any regard to the ten per
cent, and it is so set forth iu the reooit.
Mr. Guild — I yield to my mathematical friend
[Mr. Jaques], who skilfully splits a hair on the
pay of the police, for I figured it eighteen dollais
a week of >'x days; but eveu allowing it seven
days, their pay should not be reduced. I think,
however, the gentleman op osife [Mr. ITlyno] has
answered him by showing that cue reduction is
more iu the opposite direction sometimes; that is,
move than ten rer cent., so tr-at maUeiv. are about
equally balanced. 1 think the best way is to re-
commit the report.
Mr. Firth of Ward 16— While I hav° no doubt it
is very true the old members of the Council are
able, horn personal Knowbdge, to decide what
should be done iu regard 10 many of the city offi-
cers, at the «amn time it is true that among the
new membets that knowledge does not exist.
Why, we have been surprised to read in the de-
bates in the Board of Aldermen, and to hear ref-
erences made tonight, that there are sinecures in
this hall, that thsre are men who do no<hing for
fhe sal ry they receive. It is hard for me to be-
lieve that. It is also said that there are men ex-
travagantly overpaid, and I can hardly believe
that. I d m'r at all apprehend that such matters
can have been under the eyes of so many watch-
ful guardians of the city's interest yeai after year.
Yet eentlpmen in the two branches speak of it as
an absolute fact, beyond all controversy; and it
that be so, it ought to be inquired into by a com-
mittees who can put their hands upon those oar-
ticular cases. In legard to the general rule of
compensation in matters not relating co the City
Government, so far as my observation has gone,
it is pretty sate to infer that men are paid about
what they earn, and about -vhat they are worth,
relatively. In the large manufacturing estab-
lishments, on railways and elsewhere, where large
bodies of men are engaged, in a few year.i their
duties necorae pretty uniform and a just rate of
compensation is established for all classes filling
these respective places. But, inasmuch as some
of the Salary Committee have intimated that they
are not quite satisfied with this report; an ' inas-
much as the; have had better opportunities to
inform themselves in rcgaid to this question, it
seems to me it. would be eminently wise to send
it back to the committee without aoj qualification
in regard to the recommendations they shad make.
Mr. Sibley— This Balarj bill is a prettv hard
thing to vaoe into. I find th it the little fisb|fare
worse than the bi>' o, es, and I don't approve of
that. There is l gentleman I fieqaeody see about
City Hail, and I understand that I have voted r_o
pay him $2600 a year; 1 tried to find out where he
was employed— whether it was tne Scteet Com-
mittee or Commissioners— but they aid u t know.
Then some one "aid the Citv Solicitor used him. I
think 1 have twice voted money to maintain the
Citv Solicitors offic-, and 1 suppose ic 's
all right, but J oon't like to s t . e the
litcle fish nit in a bigger proportion than the
laige ones. The police have to clothe themselves,
they have to keep fixed up. anu if a coat gets
torn by an accident they must get a new ooe,
which is quite a large expense ; as to the firemen,
some s-iy it is the same thit.g; but let that pass.
The City Treasurer has quite a large salary and
gives large bond.-. I prosun:-; the committee have
examined that andkno . more than I do about it.
But it must come right down co the state of the
time'. Will w« vote ti reduce rhesa'aiies or not?
I am in favor of postponing it tonight; out I hope
we snail take up the bill and know what each
man earns.
Mr. Bobbin- of Ward 1—1 am not in favor of
disposing of ic m the summary manner tha* the
Aldermen did. but of recommitting it to the
committee. After this discussion thej will be
able to take thi sebjece up again and treat it
more understanding!^, and report atsomi tmure
day. Something should bb dons, SVe started
out on the pri ciple of r.-creuebment and econ-
omy, J.ud it is necessary at such a tune s tin-.
The business community are at their wits' end, and
a great many hardly know what to do. It seems to
me that pei so as rec iviog a high salaiy should
sympathize with the taxpayers and business men.
lam not prepared to vote now, aod I d<>ubt
whether the most of us ar~. If the cjuinittee
could look over the report again 1 think they
would give us something "6 could agiee with.
Mr. Jaques— It is necessary for the committee
to report before the appropriation bills com; in,
and I believe no great gain will be accomplished
by ieeommittal. After all, there are only about
half a dozen points to be decided, and they are
something like this: Ffsc is the general question,
whether the Council desire any gener-.l reduction.
Novpiob bly a majority would say yes. by all
means, out theie are particular cases that must
not be reduced. The Counci 1 ar > as well prepared
to discuss that now as they will be at any other
time. Theo ihere will urnbab); be a great differ-
ence of opinion as to a 'reduction of the firemeu
or policemen; and that is a point upon
which the committee would gala no infor-
mation ?w«rd could make no progress. Then t.ieie
are the heads of departments in fhe haods of
Committees who kno v more abour them than the
Salary Committee ao. I do not stand here to de-
fend ths report as a whole. No doubt it can be
imDi'oved. The committee met with insurer- ble
difficulties, and there must necessarily be some
errors in the report. Thtre i- a great u^al of good
sense in the rem-rks of the gentlemau from \Vatd
20, that we would be nearer right to adopt the
committee's report than to continue the salaries
as they are no. v. I am as alive as any one to all
the arguments in support of nigh salaiies; but
gentlemen must reflect that everybody must make
some sacrifice.
Ic is a sacrifice to a man who has bean living on
a salary of $1500 or $2000, whose family is depend-
ent upon dim, whose scale of ezoeuaiturrt is up to
that point— it is a great sacufice to a man to nave
his income cut do^n $200 or $300. But have we
not a'l had to make that sacrifice? Does not the
man of business find him»el ( in that situation?
Does not the capitalist find himself in that sicua-
io<-, ? Does he get the amount from nis dividends,
from tne interest on the loans that he nu.kes, that
he formerly did? Is tjere any man, except the
salaried man, whose income is not diminished, and
who is not making a sacrifice in the a e times?
No if I claim, as the gentlsman from Ward 20 re-
marked, that it is easy to raise salaries; that
our action is only for one year, and that we proba-
bly should not make any great mistake to adopt
the committee's report. But with the points I
have alluded to, and as to which I have no ooubt
there will be a difference of opinion, aud will re-
FEBRUARY 17. 1876.
91
quire some discussion, 1 thiok it will be easier to
adupt tbe suggestion of the gentleman from
South Bo-ton, and assign this question tor our
next meeting; and 1 thiok wt shell be ju-t as well
prepared to act upoa it as though it hail gone
back to i he committee. And if in order, 1 would
make tiat motion, that we aisb'ii .he salary ques-
tion tyr our next meeting at eight o'clock.
Mr. Ho*es of Ward 18— The ge::tleman from
Ward 2 who spoke a few moments ago, -aid that
it ths matter was recommitted the committee
coulu report in a short time *oaje salary bill that
would meet the vie ws of members or the Council,
because they now uooerstand what these views
are. Now perhaps those who have ?noken may
exceet that they tiave been exceedingly lucid.
But I, as one of the membeis of the committee,
tnnst -iv that if the bill went back there would be
nothing left for me to do except to votp for
the bill as it now stands. I certainly hope
it will i ot be recommitted under tbese •
circumstances. Other members may have
gained som° Knowledge of what tbe Council
wants, tut personally I have not found out
vvbPre they would line a change, or where they
would not. There has been something saia about
police offie- is, bur L for o: e lIiouIo be opposed to
changing the Jill in that particular. The reason
their pay was cui uown v.as that i' would make it
about tbe .,ame as that of tbe nrernei , whose
duties are fully equal to those performed by the
police Tne same expease attends botn depart-
ments. The firemen jrovice then own coats and,
bats and various othtr articles of apparel, and
what is more, they k-ep them i better o.-der tnan
the men who belong to the police force. The
matter of wear and tear is probably fully as
much in one depaituient as in the oiher,*and
as to tbe amount of danger and hazard
incurred, I thick everv one will admit that
the number of persons killed in the Fire Depart-
ment exceeds that in the Police Department, and
tbe rireme.i are entitled to the excess of pay if
tnere is any.
Mr. riuiid o' Ward 9 -The gei lien an complains
about a lack of lucidity in the remarks of those
who have spoken. 1 think the e is very little lack
of clearness in the minds of those *ho have spok-
en. Ws all endeavored to make our n. marks lucid,
aud I will now try to send my words, like camino
shots, straight to the mark.' I think the -a'aiies
of the License Commissioners are entirely too
large. They are one set of men wnose pay should
be reduced. I think tnere are others that should
be also on ottjer commissions. I think that some
reductions that have been maue, like tho e of tne
police— „nd I think I was veryplai in staling it
—should not be reouced in amount. The gentle-
man speak> about the numbsr of individual ■ killed
at fnes and that it is greater than that of the poire.
Well, I do not thiok there aie as mane knock-
downs it fir*s as among t! e - >olice; and 1 really
thi k, >ir, tint tbe wear and te^r of weam g ap-
uarel among the t>olic j foice is far greater than
among the Fire Decamuent. The ge^tlsman
occupies a position in business which perhaps en-
ables him to know a gteat deal about the Fire De«
partme.u, and peroaps tbeg Htleman from anoth-
er ward, I don't know which, could tell us some-
tbi g aoout the wear and tear of police clothing. I
acknowledge tnat oayknowledge of thiPolice De-
partment is somewbat limited. Bu-", sir, to come
down to the point of where I think reductions are
necessary. Heally I presume, if I may be allowed
to use the - ora— although the get I'euian thioks
presumptive evideuce should not be admitted in
this court— whare I yiesume gentlemen feel that
reduction- should ne made is in so ne ot the large
salaries which are paid to commissions. I
do not think it n proper to reduce the sala-
ries of gentlemeu like the City Clevk. tbe
Superintendent of Streets and others who
have grown up in City Hall. The $500 you
would take off is » picayune, parsimonious policy
lor the city of Boston in snchca«es. If tbey should
conclude to leave tor a salary of $500 or $600 more
tbe amount tbe citv would lose in one year's time,
I finnlv believe, would pay their salary for five
years to come. There is no question about it;
when we get this class of men of which Boston is
proud, we should endeavor tonoldthem. 1 have
made these remarks simply to exoUio to the gen-
tleman, and to throw a flood of light upon his
mind, which it senied to be diffiecult to
reach througb the smoked glass of his un-
derstanding, as ro what those who have spoken
desired to communicate. I uo not wish to arrogate
to myself the duty of explaining for those gentle-
men who have spoken, because they are amply
able to speak for themselves. But I have certain-
ly unoerstood the tenor of their remaikb just as
well as I can tell when the wind is east when I
feel the temperature on my "no*. I know when
these gentlemen get up here and move for a
recommittal, and say they are not satisfied and
don't waci to vote for the bill as it stands, but
wish it to On brought in in a lirtle different shape,
that tbey don't liiie to have tbe tt-u per cent, le-
dttctiontule applied to every city officer from
first to last. 1 will not say fton first to last, be-
cause then my fiiend from Ward 11 will
sav that there are two offlcef who stand
first who have not be n indicated — but
nearly from first to last, the ten per c-nt. cut has
been applied. 1 think tbe better way would be to
recommit to the committee, ana I should be very
happv privately to communicate my opinions,
poor as they may be, to tbe gentlemen who have
served on the committee, and as a membpi of the
Council give them my thanks for the arduous uu-
ties p-rtormeo, and it there is auy billtobeap-
proved by tbe Council tor various refreshroe ts I
should be most happy to give my vote that that
bill mignt b- approved.
Mr. Shaw of Ward 12—1 am very happy, sir, to
be referred to by the gentleman. I see'he goes on
that old doctrine of the good old lusnman, who
said to his boy, "Pat, wherever you see a head,
hit it." I presume Ivs eyes peering over bis
glasses, coming in this direction, extended as far
as thi . He says he docs not know where I am
fiouo. I am not responsible tor what he does not
know ; but I know waere I a n. But I am happy
in this to agiee with him almost to the letter in
this par licular. I do not believe there is anybody
Here atisfied with this condition of tilings,
either with th proposition coming from the
Board of Aklet men or with the bill itself. I do
not believe anybody is satisfied with it. I thiok
the gentleman from tbe Eighteenth Ward has
toucheo the matter upon the right key. Has this
committee a»v light to consioer the sin^ciues
round about City Hall ? He seems astonished, as
he is a new member of the Council, at the state-
ment thot there ar« sinecures here. W . II, I guess
nobody doubts it. aori ne will be more surprised
when he taees this list and examines it, to find
men paid $1000 and $3500 per year who do not
9pend an hour per day upon the city's busn es ; and
that,sir, is capable of demonstration. Mr. President
when you talK about, cutting down tbe pay of the
firemen or the pay oi the oolicemen trom the
present pxy which tbey now get 1 should oppose
it bitterly. I do n )t think tbey are pa.d too much.
I think this whole thing ought to be investigated
and the matter ought to be made uniform. There
are men paid too much, and there are men paid
too little. Now the proper way to :lo the thing is
to empower this committee to consider the cine-
cutes about the hail and uo consider whether cer-
tain departments may not be dispensed with en-
tiielv. I coulii name ooards, which receive $4000
per annum for eaci of their members, that I be-
lieve entirely useless. I would no; distinguish them
I do not mean the Board of Stieet Commissier.ers,
by anv means. I think that, one of 'h^ most
economical institutions foi the benefit of tbe city,
I do ihink this whole matter ouabt to be consid-
er o in some wny, so that a bill may be presented
hers that will be satisfactory to somebody at any
rate. It is certainly in a mos> unsatisfactory con-
dition now. I hope it will be recommitted to the
cominitt°e or to soinehody ^?bo will tak« the whole
subject into consideration and see if certain
office-' can be dispensed with and the whole ag-
gregatesum reduced, I tin a k that is the proper
way to take the bull by the horns.
Mr. Kelley of Ward 3— There is one class of
people I have not seen mentioned in this report,
ami that is the laboring class. I oo not sec why
th- committee should not taue them imo consid-
eration. As far as I am concerned, I believe in
cutting down th-.se salarie" as low as $2000, every
one of them, and tome of them lower than $2000.
We pay a City Solicito/ $6000. 1 tutnk that is too
much altogether. But if we go on according to
tbe statement of some of the members of this
Council, it will be impossible to cut any of the
salaries down. Each of us has friends, and we do
not want them touched. Now I believe in being
fair in the matter. I don't think it is fair
to cut a pt liceman, who works I3y 2 hours lor a
day's pay, twentv-five cents per cay, and reduce a
matt who acts $6000 only $600. You compel i po-
liceman to buy a nnitotm eveiy spring. He has
to buy a bar of a different styfe according to an
9^
COMMON CO I N < ' I L,
order from the Committee on tn<- Police. He baa
to furni h himself witli ;in overcoat tliat co-ts
somewlin'f about fBO, and i 1' ock co it tnat eostr
him -<)ine«' Here about ¥50, and if lie !>oes out a Id
gets his clothes torn liis omy remedy is to g-t the
same suit repaired. The . we come to the riiein u.
Some of them pet $100 per month, I believe, or
$1000 net yea'. Tiey have a vacation of only two
days in every mo ith. It a fireman wishes to eo out-
side of his district tie must get p i mission from the
engineer. He is tied up in that engine hois.- night
and day with the exception of two cay.* in each
mouth." Now I would *sk any member of the
Council if the salary of thes "men should be re-
duced. We find that the City Engineer is left out
altogethei from this list, and all th» reason that 1
can find for it is that be has staten to the co anna-
tee it his w aces are reduced he would not serve
the city any longer. Now 1 believe there i» some
one man iu tins city that can fill that place, and I
believe that there is not an office in this city that
we cannot find somebody i i tne city of Boston to
fill. It ic is a fa«l that we cannot find then, I
thinK we ought to set up a new school system.
Mr. Howei' of Ward 10 — I wish to correct the
statemeot of the gentleman who just sat down.
The City Engineer made no such statement to the
committee. The reason the committee sa>v fit not
to cut down his salary was on account ot the va-
riety of duties imposedupon him in rouuequence
ot the new conduit; and we thought if a change
had to be made it would cost vastly more than the
salary amounted to. As to the statement which
the geutleman from Ward 9 has given, I ax cer-
tainly very grateful for it. H- is the only one who
has giv.-n his opinion io detail, and ceitaiulyhe
was the first who intimated ai y thing cutting down
the pay of commissioners.
Mr. Spenceley of Wa'd 19—1 hope this motion
to assign v* ill prevail, t feel as the gentleman
from Ward 16 does, that there are so many new
members here that *?e hardly koov where this
matter should end. it seems to me the best thing
we can do is to take these salaries up one by one
and go thi ough with tfi jm ; and when we get
through we nbali know where we stand. It seems
to me that, as we have committer here on vari-
ous matters, we can find out what toe e salaries
are and what they ought to be. I hope this mo-
tion to assign will prevail, and then we can go into
this matter thoroughly.
The question w»s laker, and the motion to spe-
cially assign was catried.
TAX REMITTED.
The report and oraer to refund to T. W. Snow's
heirs the taxes upon their personal propeity for
1874, amounting to $184 04, came up as unfinished
business. Order passed in concurs ence.
BOSTON WATER BOARD.
The ordinacce to establish the Boston Water
Board (City Doc. No 26) came up as unfinished
busin 1 ss.
Mr. Stcne of Ward 3 offered the following
amendment:
Section 1. In the mouth of April, 1876, or as soon
thereaftet as may be, there shall be selected five
persons who shall constitute the Boston Water
Boaid; one of whom -Viall be a member of the
Board of Aldermen, ano shall be-lecteo by that
Board by ballot, and shall bold his office t'll the
first Monday i J May following, or until his suc-
cessor sball'oe elected. One shall be a member of
the Common Council, and shall be electen bv that
board in like manner and for the same term as the
member ot toe Boar.) of AUienueu. Three citi-
zens, not members of the City Government, shall
be electe.i by concuirent vote of the City Council
taken by ballot on each name; oae member shall
be elected to hold his office till tne first Monday in
May, 1877; one till the first Monday in May, 1878,
and one till the first Monday iu Mav, 1879. Iu the
month of April, 1877, aid thereafter in the month
of Ayiil annually, the City Council shall elecr,
subject to the same conditions as the original elec-
tions, one person to be a member of said board for
three years.
Any member of said board sh. 11 be subject to
removal Dy the Mayor, with the consent ot the
Cits Council, and all vacancies occamng in said
board, from xny caus-, shall b" fi'l-'d in the same
manner as the original electious were made.
Sect. 2. Tba five members of said board first
elected shall meet and organize forthwith by the
choice of one of their members as chairman, who
shall devote hi« time to the duties of the office
and shall not actively engage in any othei busi-
ness and shall receive for his services such com-
peosation an the City Council may tiomiinieto
time determine. And annually thereat tei said
board sha'l organize on the first Monday in Hay.
They sh-ili choose a cl<-rK whosha.' no. be a mem-
ber of the board, ami they shall make each roles
ano regulations tor their oi\n government and
for tne government oT all subordinate officers ap-
pointed by them as they may deem expedient.
Tne boaid shall repot t its doings un.ier this sec-
tion to the City Council.
.Mi . Bweetser oi Warn 17— If the ire. tiemau will
withdraw his motion I would like to move that
the ordinance and amendment be ref. rred to the
Committee on Ordina ices.
Mr. Stone of Waul 3 — I do not see any reason
why it should be referred to the Committee on
Oidinauces. I really cannot see any reasoii »~ li v I
should withdraw.
Mi . Ciocker of Ward 9— With regard to the pro-
priety of its going io Jiv, Committee on Ordinances,
it is" the duty of that committee to see that
ordinances are oroperly drawn. Thi i is an ordi-
nance of great impoitance, ana it is desirable that
it should be put in proper shaoe before we d>->cuss
its details.
Mi. Shaw of Ward 12 — f hinoneof those who
signed this ordinance, now under consideration.
If it needs to be se.t io the Committee on Ordi-
nances to correct clerical eirors, there .-erms to be
no objection to it; but 1 ao not see why that
should carry tt"e amendment of the gentleman
from Ward 3 with it. The Committee on Oidi-
nauces are not to consioer the substance matter
at a'l The j may put ii into proper shape so far
as language is concerned.
Mr. Stone of Ward 3— The reason why I objected
to referring this to tne Commities on Oulinances
was because this ordinance was reported by the
Committee on Water. Having elicited the infor-
mation I have receive i I have no objection to
withdrawing my motion and allowing it to goto
the Committee on Ordinances.
The matter was referred to tb« Committee on
Ordinances. Sent up.
SQUARE ON COMMONWEALTH AVENUE.
Oq motion ot Mr. Jaques of Ward 11, the Coun-
cil voted to reconsider the vot? -/hereby was re-
jected the orde< to authorize a transfer from the
Reserved Fund, S5000, to constitute a special ap-
propriation toi grading and curbing the square
on Cornuiouwealrb aveiiue, between Fairfield and
Gloucester streets.
On motion ot Mr. Sampson of Ward 17, the mat-
ter was specially assigned to 9y 2 P. M. next Thurs-
day.
INSPECTORS OF ELECTIONS.
On motion of Mr. May of Ward 24 the Council
took uu the special assignment for 8% P. M., viz..
Order that the Mayoi be requested to oetition the
General Cour tor the passage of an act relating
to ward officers. (City Doc. No. 25.)
Mr. May of Ward 24— Geitlemen vili have ob-
served. Mr. President, that the draft of ahw
printed in connection with this ouler provides tor
the appointment of inspectors v. ho will enter up-
on their duties this fall, and ilso foi *oe modn i i
which th-s watden, ward officers anil inspectors
shall be chosen hereafter. The reason why this
was reported i o » -»a a because the committee in
the course of their examination ot the new
charter «aw,or thought they saw, that it was pos-
sible thev might t.or be stole to report
to the Council on the whole maiter in
season to have : ny action of the Legis-
lature this year, and they thought it *ovisable
that there should be legislation this year with
ret'ereuce to guarding the purity of the franchise,
and they recommend, therefore, a petition to the
Legislature for the passage of a la i substantially
like this, printed with this order. Th° change is
not great from the existing state of things. I
think there are five inspectois now. but I am not
sure about that. There were inspectors appointed
by special starute at the last elecion by the M-.y-
or. At the next election toere will be no inspect-
ors, unless there is legislation wnii reference to
that purpose.
Mr. Ruffin of Waul 9— I regard this, Mr. Presi-
dent, as a mattei of <on» importance. It involves
some original changes in the method of taking
our elections, and I thick we should hesitate be-
fore we take this step, . nd examiue this matter
somewhat carefully. It is, as I understand from
the explanation which ha.', been made bv the
chairman of the committee, oioposed that in each
ward of the city the Mayor of the city shall select
three inspectors to act with tin inspectors who
FEBRUARY 17, 18
<s
93
would be elected in the vaiious wards. Now, I see
no necessity for any such sweeping change as this
contemplates. It »s possible that the.e may
be wards in the city allien any require some-
body to look after tbe purity of the ballot box.
Possibly (here ma/be; but I do not thirk that every
ward of tae city requires three agetus of the
Mayor or Citv Government. I believe we haa a
law something of tms characier some time ^go.
I tbinfe tb?act of 1873— if 1 recollect right-pro-
vided that upoD die petition of five or
ten legal voters cf a ward, the Supreme Court
was co appoint t-o peisoos from the two differ-
ent political parties to be nspectois, to go to the
ward if thev aopreaeDded any trouble, and to act
as guardians of che purity of the ballot box. I do
not kno v that we ever took any action under tD&c ;
I do not know that gentleman from any ward
evei petitioned the Supreme Court to send any
such inspectois; hut that law was swept from the
statute books aud no longer exists. I believe
also that there is some national law, some
enactment, of Congress, which allows in-
spectors at a natio al elecion upon the peti-
tion of certain persons; and provides that the
United States Marshal, id any case ot aporehended
trouble at the polls, shall guard the purity of the
ballot box. I think we have all the protection
that is oeedeo in that respect. I do not apme-
heud any attack o a the part ot iLdivuluals upon
the purity of the ballot box. I tbiuk we should
leave it to* the people of the several »arus. What
we want m our elections is simplicity. We do not
wa t too much machinery; we Oon't want this
complex ma^bineiy of City Hall on one side and
the citizens, on the other. It is not neeced.
I believe it was some traveller— De Tocqueville,
I think— who said tha' the best specimen of
democracy was a New England village, where the
people come together and upon a show of hands
pa u s upon important matters. Now, that should
be our standard asnesilyas possiole. Of course
we cannot he ve chat; we must \ote by ballot; but
let tint be tbe >t:.ndaid, and let the citizeos say
who sh 11 be their officers, and let them elect them
the old- fasti 10 tied way, I do not chiok you can
better that.
Another thing. You know what the conse-
quence is of clothing people with a l'ttie official
authority. A man goes out of Citv Hall who is
uot responsible to the people. He carties with
biin a little prestige of aulhoiity, and seeks to
rnagQify the importance of his office. He will
make it a bureau, and it you will let him he will
make it as big as a commission. I do not see any
necessity for the law. Let the people of the
various ' wards elect th Q ir ward officers
as thev do now, upon a general ticket, ami let the
City Clerk inform those gentlemen who are elect-
ed that they must act mthat capacity of wardens,
clerks and inspectors. That is the safe- 1 and the
best way. Id all governments the power must re-
side somewhere, and it is be.ter to have it reside
with the people. Let them have it. It is bttt*r
thai they should have it than the Mayor of
the city. We have a good Mayor to-
day, but we do not kno v who we shall
have ten years fnm now or one year trom now.
Tbe Mayors of those times misihe not appoint in-
spectors such as would be desirable. I believe
the safest and best way is to leave it to the people
of the various wards to elect their office's. 1 see
no reason for this sweeoing change. There may
be some special necessity in ome particular lo-
cality, but we do not want to send these agents
into wards where the election is peaceful and
quiet.
Mr. Jaques of Ward 11— It seems to ins th« gen-
tleman gives a wrong impression «f the naHiie of
the bill proposed. In the first olace he speaks of
it as making original changes in the present sys-
tem. Now, this law covers exactly che same
ground as the old system. Then he says that the
inspectors are to be'appoioted oy tbe Mavor. The
only chaoge this bill make« over the old system is
that it is possible for the voteis in each wa d to
elect their warden, clerk and three inspectors, and
that in aflditi'-n to those three inspectors there
shall be thie- 1 ; other inspectors nominated bv toe
Mayor and approved bv the Board ot Aldermen.
That, wiil make in each ward six inspectors.
These men, so appointed and approved, are pub-
lic officials, who cannot arrogate to themselves
this great power. They are only inspectors with
the same duties that tbe other inspectors have. But
roe question ans-s, why should we have these ^hree
inspectors chosen? The reason is plain. Underour
democratic system it is desirable that everybody
eligible to the right to vote should be able to ca*c
that vote in the he st possible manner, and that a
majoiity of votes foracy one officer should injure
the ele stion of that officer. But under cli p'e-en
system we aie nor sure that the votes ol i»ie ma-
jority will rule. It has bepn done in some wards
of this city, as has bee , proved over aod over again.
It is done to a great extent iu cities like New
York, where the people at the ward elec-
tions elect inspectors whom thev know wil'
work to a given end, aad that end
not th? lurch rauce of the wishej of the majority
ot the people. Now, it may be- asked why should
not each ward manage its own affaiis in regard to
voting? The reason is plain. It is because every
citizen in the city has an interest in the iesult
ot their votes. Toey are willing that each
ware ana each voter in each ward should cast
his vote according to his choice, and that
his vote should be counted; but *hey are not
billing thj.t fraudulent votes should be cast
that should do awav with and deetioy tb.3
actio.i of the rest. No*, tbe committe , after
great consideration of this subject, bave pre-
pared a bill, 'o which, whilr- it embodies all the dp-
tails of the pieseut sy-tem, those details having
been merely revised* aud put into a somewhat
betcti shape, tbey have simply added a provision
for the appointn ent ot thiee inspectors at large
in each ward. It seems to ma one of the best
means lor msuriug the purity of the ballot
box that can be desitert. Kow a:; to the practi-
cal working of this law at an election; there
would be taree inspector in addition to ihe othev
officers chosen by the ward. Supposing tnere are
three baliot boxes, it is suggest en that there
should be one of these i spectors chosen by the
City Government and one of those chosen by the
votei s of toe ward at each oox. It ueemed to the
committer that that was the best mode th. y
couk; suggest to insure honesty in regard to
the custody and management of the ballot
box. There is no danger of one inspector
taking advantage of toe other. Thfy represent to
a cettain extent oifferent interests. Toey can
watch each other, it does not do away with the
present security that members of different politi-
cal narcies have of doing what, they can to see
that everything is done correctly. The order is
an important one, and I hope it will uass.
Mr. Shaw of Ward 12—1 am opposed io this ma-
jorny bill il it is a majo'ity bill, and I am in favor
ot the tninotity report, signed bv Aldetman
O'Brien.
"We, undersigned, respectfully dissent from
the repoit of the majority of the commitree for
the following reasons:"
And be gives good democratic rfasons. I mean
by Democratic reasons such democratic reasons
as should control every American community.
<> In bis opinion, ward officers should
be elected by tbe people, as at present,
a<,d that there is less likblihooo of abuse
under the present system, tban under the
on« proposed in the act iubmitted by the com-
mittee."
"Political power concentrated in tbe people is
always more to be relisd on than if vesttd in indi-
viduals, and is moie consistent wi n republican
institutions."
Iu the first section of this bill it says —
"The Mayor of the city ot Boston shall J pr'or
to the first dav ot November in the present
year, with the approval of 'he Boaio of
Aldeimen oi' said city, appoint for each watdor
voting district of said city three inspectors of
elections, who shall be legal voters in such ward
or district."
It does not even say qualified voters. Wheie is
the chairman of the Cimmittec oj Elections?
Who is going to say whethei they are legal voters
or not? Who is going to say whether they ,<re
qualified voteis or not? It is* a question now be-
fore the City Government. The gentleman from
Ward 9 has well said that this matter which was
once passed upon *.as thrown out of court, if
I remember rightly; the Sapreme Court had no
power to act in the premises, and ibe act contem-
plated was rendered null at.ci void. Now here is
a very peculiar section. It is Section 10:
" While an election is goiog on eacu
ballot box shall, so far as practicable, be
in tbe immediate chaige ol two inspectors,
one from those appointed and one from
those elected, and th** ballots shall not be count-
ed or removed from the ballot box until tbs elec-
\i±
O < ) M M O N CO U N (J 1 L
tion is dosed, and the Inspectors who have had
charge of a box shall be entitled to make the first
count of tin' oaliots therein."
Why, Mr. Presiaan', wh t a chance ror fraud!
Nobody else but the inspectors having charge of the
ballot boxes shall examine them untilthose who h a
charge shall examine tbem. The supervision now
requl ed if ciur-h doneawaywitb audbereisan
entirt radical change. I am opposed, Mr. Piesl-
iicni. to having i >v more poper given into the
hautis or a certain citj official to u--e his — where is
my frieod? | Mr. Crocker]- ipsa dixit, to assert hin
preiogative. it may be tost the Mavor who ap-
points and ibe Board oi Aldermen • bo confirm,
will be ol the same political party, aim then
where are the rights of toe people in a contest-
ed el o ctjon? it seems to me it is tadicaiij wrong,
and I shaii oppose it. I think sometning of the
kinu might possihy be beneficial, but certain-
ly no such change as that.
Mr. Aaaiis of Waul 5— I think the bin id just
about what we want. The idea of thre6 inspect-
ors, apoomtetl by the Mayo/ and en tinned cy the
AldPrmen, directing the affairs of a ware , a 'ems
to be rather inexplicable. Here we have tines
me i appointed bv the Mayor and confirmed by
the Aldermen; three arc fleeted by i he wards,
and the Warden and Clerk aie tie^r d by the
wards, giving them a majo ii v < f two in the cas<
of a iv division. Two inspectors so provided for
iu this section 10 are co count tbe ballot-: in the
boxes oi which they have charge; there are six
men towa'ch these" two men while they ire thus
counting ih ballet-. Is there liability to be
any eneating there ? and is n't it tetter to have one
ot one political opinion and another of another, to
supervise the counting, or to do th° counting and
be supervised bv toe other members? L seems to
me this i* exactly what we want to tret at, and it
seems to me it is high time we had some sucn op •
portuiity as this to have our politics purified.
There "re certain vards in this city which are nei-
ther one way nor the other wa> in political sei li-
meut. and it these waids be so nearly unanimous
on one sice or t i j . other, thev can of "course elect
every one of the inspectors of ihetr pohticil com-
plexion; wbil-.it otuer of toese inspectors are
appointed by the Mayor of th- city, it is p obable
at least oje if noi two of these will be of an oppo-
site complexion from themaiority. Ano if I lived
in a Democratic ward or a Republican ward,
I should be very glad to have two oaembeis ap-
pointed who were opposed to me in party politics.
I believs tins is the sate wav and the only safe
way. I i ^joic- that the matter has been brought
up, iu order that we may have, sir, pun ly in our
elections.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9— The gentlsman from
Ward 12 has just stated what he calls good demo-
cratic reason why this oider should tot be adopt-
ed, it stems to me, true democratic principles
require ii should be adopteo. Trus democracy is
that the people should rule, that the true majority
should rule, and it requires that frauds in voting
should by all means be prevented, because there-
by the majority are prevented from tilling, and
some non existent people, men of str^.w govern
the city, and tne real majority are made apparent-
ly a minority. And the) object ot this bill is to
prevent fraudulent voting; to prevent ballot stuff-
ing. In certain wards of the city, as gentlsmeu
well Know, it ha- happened hereufor* and is
likely 'o happen again that franc ole.t votes will
be cast; thai the ballot box will be sniffed and
votes cast by peisons not actual voiers. It is de-
sirable tuat should be pi-vent-d. It is not a,
thing that injures 'hat waro alone; if it did, we
might &ay "Let the ward take care of itself , *nd
if it is billing to allow ballot stuffing co
go on, it is their business ana they must
suffer for it." But the evil is not coo-
fined to themselves alooe. Ceit in wards inavget
into the hands of fraudulent officials at the ciext
city election, aod the city election after, tneir in-
fluence may allow them to manufacture hundieds
of voters that don't represent any actual votes,
and these vote may give a Mayor that the
majority ot the real voteis did not elect; they may
change the majority and give us a mm that the
whole city dio not really vote for. Now it seams
to me that is a thing we want by all means to pre-
vent. It may give us a Mayor we didn't vote for;
it may give us Aldermen that we didn't vote tor;
aod it is the duty, it is the right, of the
city at large to claim they will have
somebody in the wards, behind "the bai, right,
at the headquarters, to see that no fraudulent
votes ais cast, to be on the watch for them, to
(top them, to detect tha frauds in couot-
mg afier the votes are cast. How easy it
is to commit all *orts of frauds, when the
Officers ol a ward are of one political complexion.
They maybe a nog; they are greed; ttey are
men ad of a party and >11 fn°nds, ano if they an
Inclined to put through a fraud they have the
thing all among themselves, in a eorner of the
wai .room, and nobody has a right to go very ii i
to look on.
It has bcii said that theie wa» an act passed,
which fell thiough. I think 1 lecollect something
about t. at act, wfich was a> act requiring the
judge of tne Supreme Coait to appoint cer I la
inspect is, and the act d:d, 1 be'ieve, tall through,
because the judges ot ihe Supremt Court fam
that their duties, their constitutional duties, weie
to judge, to acl as judtres and try ca es, but cot
to apioint ward office! s; ana they declined to
take tha' burden upon themselves. Tbey a lid,
"We wont di it." It was thus that the act
fell through. But I thins eveiy gentleman
will set; that- this liability to fraud is
something that we want tj look at and
to guard against, and this ordei affor.it, a n:ea> sto
doit. No one Mayor, uol.ss he stays in three
years, will have the appointment of three in-i ect-
ois. If we get i oad Mayor, in one year be would
have the appointment of only one" man. If we
like him well enough to let aim stay in two yeais
he would have the appointment of two. Jf we
liko 'liin so will as to let bim stay in three years,
he would tLen only have the appointment of three
inspectors while in each '.aid there would be
three Inspectors elected and also a Warden
and Clerk. It seems to me we ne p o not
fear that r he Mayor making: the appoint-
ments, alw ys with the app.ovaiot the Board
of Alderme , is going to get aoy dangerous jower.
A'l that is wanted is to provide some mean- ny
which tLe city at laige, which is interested in
every ward election, shall be repie-ei ted there,
right at the baHot box, to detect fraud; shall
have people trc re who repiesent tue people at
large at the ballot box, behind the rail watcbine
for fraud and watching to detect any misconduct
on the part of the officers elected by the people of
the ward: and the officers elected by me people
of the waro, naving a majority in number, <*iH'be
there to watch and defect any fraud committed
by the inspectors appointed by the Mavor ano ap-
proved by the Aldeimeo; and ia that way we
nhall take a great step toward preventing frauds
in elections, which 1 thiuk every man. wb.-ther he
is a Deruoeiat, or whatever he man be, will be in
f>vor of — every man "'ho wants to see the will of
the people honestly and properly carried out.
Mr. Devereux of Ward 4 — l'hat is just my idea.
I want to see the authority of the people" exer-
cised and controlled. I am a nused, sir, at some of
the definitions of some of the g.-ntlemen upon
democracy. I don't mean it, sir, in any party
sense, i mean n in its broadest definition. Aod
I think Mr. Jefferson lays it dovn, or dio lay it
down in his litetiuie, what he conceited to be
democracy: "Local government based upon
the sovereign will of the oaopie." Now
sir, what does the bill propose" to do? I
says ihat the Mayor, with the consent and
continuation of the Board of Aldermen, shall
appoint at his discretion. Now, sir, that
iso eofthefiesh wedges diiven in against tbe
sovereignty of the people. If we can't Irust tbe
people, whom can we ttust? Mr. Jeffer.-on said
again that the people were to be, trust-d, and we
say too ay that the people are tobefiusted. And
it is unsafe, sir, to put it into the hand of any
man — I care not if it was St Paul and he was
mayor of Bo-ton — that he shall have the powe- to
select irspectors aod send them into a word. Tbe
gettieman fiom Ward 9 [Mi. Crocker] b-i,.s said,
and with a wonderful amount ot honor, that there
aie frauds, ballot stuffing. I have not made a coarge
i i. an v case that it was so— oolyai assumption,
a presumption that it may occur. I have not
hearfi of any charges here that it has occurred. I
say, sir, it is lobbing the peoole of their sover-
eignty, aud the gentleman from Ward 9 [Mr. Ruf-
fin] has r.taied the essence of this thing, has fx-
piessetl the very words that De Tooqueville has
siatea as the very essence of democratic govern-
ment— "The more simple it is, the less complex,
the more democratic it i«." 1 hope the uiinonty
repert will prevail.
Mr. May of Ward 24—1 must confess I am sur-
piised at the oppo-itior which so simple a prooo-
sition as this seems to have raised. I had not any
idea that an Inspector of Elections, whose duty it
FEBRUARY 17, 18 76
95
was to stand by and count the votes was a man
that would be likely to subvert the liberties or the
people. It has nevei occurred to me that one in-
spector, or three inspectors, or three times three,
with that power, would take away my rig-bis, and
Ism as jealous of my rights as any other man;
and 1 don't mean to 0«. exceeded io mv affection
for the people i>y my triend trom old Ward 5. I
mean to stand up for tbtir rvghrs always, and
one of their rights tor which I mean
always to stand is their right to exercise the fran-
chise without being cheated out of theii vote; and
that is the simple ooject of this bill. 1 don't want
to be cheated out of my vot». If 1 see fit to vote
for Mr. A or Mr. B. or Mr. C. tor a particular
office, I don't want any man, an illegal voter in
any ward, to throw a vote which shall neutralize
mine; and the whole object and purpose of send-
ing these inspectors to the different *ards is that
they may see there is fair play and nothing else-
see ihaitheie is fair play. If that is not demo-
cratic, then 1 beg pard on of Mr. Devereux. Fair
play is j.li we are after; we don't want to be
cheated.
Mr. Devereux of Ward 4— Who will be the
judges of the fair play?
Mr. May— The thiee inspectors elected on the
part of the people directly and the three inspect-
ors appointed on the part of thSDeoile at laige.
Mv friend sugge.-ts that this is invidious. He sug-
gests that perhaps there may be cause, theie may
be some wares that are wic feed e: ougti to need
this provision. He wont admit that it ia his ward.
Old Ward u is a virtuous ward; they don't cheat,
and don't want Inspectors to come and see to
them. The old Ward 12 don't ueed them.
1 claim the ward I have the honor to repre-
sent is an honest ward, ana it you singled
out that ward and sent out three Inspectors,
1 sboultl take it as an imputation agaiust that
ward, and recent it with proper iucng'iation. And
so, very likely, if we sent them down to old Ward
2 they would lake it as an imputation that some-
body' thought there had been cheating in that
ward, and thev would be justly indignaot. "Why
don't you send somebody up to Ward 12?" they
wouid ask. So, to avoid that objection, we must
send them to all the t»aids and treat them all
alike.
Now, Mr. Piesident. what hartn are these thiee
men going to do— these fearful men, these
subvei'ters of the liberties of the people?
How on earth are they going to take
away the liberties of the people? I wish
somebody would tell me. What can these
inspectors do? They can count the ballots.
Whose liberti-s are taken away by that? They
can't make two aud two five any way in the world,
and if thev could they could not make aryt.ody
believe tba r two and two were five, so long as
there were three inspectors elected by the people
who knew t?,o and twj were four, rbey might
nave uothing to do nut to st«nd around. I hope
that in Ward lt>, 24 as it is now, their occupation
would be a mere sinecure. I oon't believe there
wovild be any false counting, aud we know, Mr.
President, we know t 1 at there has been taHe
counting. I k>-ow myself, for it came under
rnylpersonal observation, that at a certain election
held, rot many years ai.o, in this city, about tour
o'clock in the afternoon, it was tnought 300 votes
would make a chauge in the fiction. And I
know that although the vote ha'i been returubd
from a ceitain ward, two hours afterwards
there was another return from that ward, making
just the 300 aaditional that it was supposed would
make a change in the fa.ectioi. But unfor-
turately, or foitunately, they did not wait for re-
turns from some ochei part* or the city, and the
new count oid n't <*o the business.
Now, Mr. President, what we want is to prevent
just that sort of thing. The man who defiauos
me of my vote I sboul i treat alwavsas my enemy,
and as my worst enemy; and the man who will de-
posit an unlawful vote in the ballot box. a man
who will make an unlawful count, voluntiiilv,
purposely, is the worst eiremv of the people — th-i
worst enemy of the people. He is the man who
brings lepuoiiean institutions into contempt; he
is the man who will bring anarchy, it anything
will bring anarchy, and no friend of the people
wants anarchy.
Now my friend, who has been reading Mi. Jef-
ferson ud studying Mr. Jeff ei son, talks a great
deal about ihe sovereignty of the people. Well,
how does this law affect the people? What is any
law that is passed out a detraction from the
sovereignty of the people? It is an exercise of
their will. Every law that is put uoon the statute
book makes a restraint upon somebody. Every
law is a voluntary lvstrgrit m the interest of all.
We all of us re-blve to be honest against tempta-
tion. I don't think that I am detracting from mv
sovereignty as a man because I determine that
I wont steal and put myself under the
rule of an iron will, of an iron determination, nor
does a people sacrifice its rights, nor its sovereign-
ty, because it passes laws to restrain its own pow-
ers. All tt>ese lav's must be passed in order that
we may have order and peace and qui t, and tnis
is a step in furtherance of that. There can be no
possible miscaief in it. I ask, gentlemen, tell me,
tell me, where there is any po-,sible citcumsrance
under which this law c-n deprive any honest man
ot his rijhts, and if it deprives rogu-s of their
rights and privileges, it is just the ultimatum I
wish to secure.
Mr. Stone of Ward 3— I fail to see why the in-
spectors appointed will be more honest than those
elected by the people . I think the r eople who de-
posit the ballots aie the best jtulg'S of who
should be elected. I hooe the ordet will not pass.
Mr. Jaques — 1 move Jth at when the question is
taken it be taken oy yeas aud nay?.
Mr. Shaw of Ward 12—1 would like to ask the
honorable gentleman if he would not be as well
satisfied to have tbese officers elected by the City
Council as appointee by the Mayor and confirmed
by the Aldermen. Whether this v/ould not secure
even better men, more expeiiencsd men. At
any rate we should have a great many
more to judge of their qualifications than if
they « ere appointed by ihe Mayor. Because, as
I had the honor to suggest in the Council a few
weeks aa-o. I believe there never was but once in
my recollection — and I can remember something
of the City Gover-itnenc for some years past —
there never has been but once a nomination of
the Mayor's rejected, cud that was amost extraor-
dinary case. Hence I would say that the nomina-
tion of the Mayor would be confirmed without
much thought. But if the City Council has the
election of these officers, it does seem to me as if
we would be very much more likely to get good,
honest, experienced men, Out of courtesy, Mr.
President, to the Mavor, to His Honor would these
men be confirmed— his nominations — if nothing-
more, out of ordinary common courtesy. It does
seem to me as if the honorable gentleman would
not have objections to such a bill.
Mr. May of Ward 24—1 frankly say that I should
orefer the titarute as it is. Still, I should accept
it in that way lather than not to have anv statute
a i all, but I preterit as it is for this reason: It
seems to me there is sufficient a degree of leepon-
sibilify au<i sufficient care tak< n that the romina-
tions will be properly mafe, by requiring that the
nomin tions made bv the Mayur shall be approved
by th» Board of A.ktertneo ; auo i prefer tne Board
of Alderman should act in this matter because tbey
car act more readily and with more effici^ncv ml
promptness, and because thev represent toe peo-
ple at. large. So itoes this while Council iepre-
■se nt the people at large; but notwithstanding we
have special interests, and we are special repre-
sentatives of different wards, a:>d it may be there
would be more or less log-rolling. Some wards
might come and say, If you wid join us, vote
agaiost Mr. So-and-So, we will join you in voting
against Mr. So-and-So; and m ' that way I should
be afraid that improoer iren would be more like-
ly to get oo than if they were e'ected by
the Aldermen and appointed by th' 1 Mayor,
to whom w^ can say, if any improper men
are put on the boards of inspectors, "You were
responsible ; you took the whole power; you
nominated tin- man, and he is a bad man, and you
put him on." If a bad man gets on by vote of
the Common Council, nobody is to blame. Some-
body wouid come and find fault with me, and I
would say I voted against him.
The object in view by the bill is to secure men
who are as nea'ly honest as the lot of Boston hu-
mai.itv will permit, ard the presumption is that
there wo at be much cheating with the three
inspectors elected by tie waid. And if
the Mavor seod firee -more, then foere is
much less probability that these six will combine
in any effort to defraud than that the thiee
would combine. If they disagree in politics, so
much less likely to combine. It tbev are agreed
in politics, yet there are honest men in both par-
ties, and the presumption is that ihose elected by
the Mayor and Aldermen would be honest men. I
should prefer that to the suggestion made bv the
gentleman trom Ward 12.
96
COMMON C O U JST C I L
Mr. Peabody of Ward 13— What appear! to me
as the objection to these gentlemen beinir chosen
by the Council it* tbie : u nil be even that tins act
provides that the Inspectors muse be lesidemsof
the ward over which they are to be inspectors,
Nov, it tbiy arc e'ected uy the Council,
naturally tiie Couucilmen tnnu each ward
will have a great u^al of niflaeuce in
pointing out and Euggeeting and working tor tbe
men to b; electeo, nod t litre would i>- a trong
probability cbat toat would make all tin- iospect-
ors in t n . wanlol tin 1 same side in politics. A
strong Democratic ward would gel three other
Democratic inspector . and a strong Republican
ward would get tiira« oth r Republican inspect-
ors; while the Mayor, if he was a man of pioper
spirit, would nauirall.v appoint in a Strong Repub-
lican war i three Democratic Insoectors, ana iu
a strong Democratic ward three Republican
inspectois, simplv to see fair play. I eoo-
fess I was very much surprised to hear
tbe speeches made in opposition to this, which
seems ro me t imply a piece ot fair ;>lay; and as
for rraud, no".;ody who Las it-ad the papers the last
five years can tail to Unovit. I ec. tainly have
read of a case, within two or three \ears, where it
was testified, alter a recount was deuoauoed, that
m manibg 'he recount forty-two ballots were
found that had evidently been chucked mto tie
box in one bundle, rlere we take a gr< at deal of
trouble and ut iime,leaveoui business, and go up to
ward too.ns and vote, with a great deal of incon-
venience to ourselves. I saw a gentleman \<<te —
saw tkvoiie&tleu.eii vote— at the lastelectioo.oneof
whom staggered up io the pulls, so sick he could
hardH stand; the other was earned from hii car-
nage to the po'ls to vote; pnil think of sucn meu
as tho-e having their votes nullified by one fellow
chucking torty-t o ballots into the box. lam
amazed tliat any gentleman should opoose a thing
inteuded to prevent sucn action as that.
Mi. Shaw of Ward 12—1 can appreciate the mo-
tives that actuate the gentlemen who favor this
order, but 1 wane to asK ibe legal gentlemen of
the Doara how they are going to get over
this tlnmr. There was a staaite passed in the year
1875 ot our Lord. J want to know what
they are going to do with this. "Three inspectors
who shall be legal voters in such ward or district."
Now 1 say that perhaps there maybe a conflict —
1 quote from tbe article which authorizes tbe re-
di vision of the wards, which has just beeu passeu
upon — which makes me a citizen of Ward 12, an
inbybbant of Ward 12, and a voter in Ward 12, a
legal voter in "Ward 12, a qualified voted in WarT
12.
Now, sir, a year before there was passed an arti-
cle to this effect ; I have it here before me, but I
think many of u« will remember it. That
whoever lvmovea from oue *'.ia in the citv to
another— >. nd I think ^he President remembers it
--within three months previous to an election —
removes, understands — takes up his domicile from
one wa'd and m*kes Ins aomicile in another,
leaves his inhabitancy of the one ward and be-
comes an mnabitant of another; if th->t person,
within tbiee months previous to an eiectiou, has
done that; and although an inhabitant of the last-
named waid, is qualified by law to tro back to the
Wt rd » here he does not live, and is not an inhab-
itant, ana is tnere a qualified voter a in eligi-
ble as a candidate f<*r office. Now, when
are you coning hete? The act provides
like this: "The Mtyor of the city shall,
prior to the 1st day of Noverabei of the preseut
year, with the approval of the Board of Aldeimen
of said city, appoint for each ward or each dis-
trict, thiee inspectors ot elections, who shall be
legal voteis in such ward or district." "Legal
voters in such ward or district." I may live in
Ward 2, and may be a legal voter in Ward 1, while
I am an inhabit a"t of Ward 2, or am nor an in-
habitant, and have do domicile m Ward 1, under
the present law. Now,! vould like to ask if we
had better not study "Story's Conflicts of Law"?
There is a point, perhaps, the chairman of this
committee did not consider for a moment, and
before we pass in ordinance ot this kino, com-
pletely changing our form of governme at in that
manner, I think our honorable Chairman would
consider an amendment, and reflect and study this
fact. It seems to me ?s though it was precipi-
tant ; it should not pass. 1 call toe attention of
the honorable gentleman to tbat point and ask
bnn to consider it. He intends rignt. He intends
to have three men appointed who are legal voters
in the ward. Now, would he have one, two
or thrpe of these meo appointed over a ward
where they don't live? and \ct they mav be
legal voters in tne warn. No* be talks abour log-
rolling. Why, is there a place in the woild where
tbeie is more log-rolling than there is here be-
tween this room and ihc- Mayor's room? Tell me
wjere u is. Talk about log-rolling, why, .Mr.
Pi Mdent, what officer has been appointed that
has not been log-tolled in, in anv of these commis-
sions. It seems to me, Ml Piesulent, as if there
uas more log-tolhoe there than anywhere else.
There is a principle in the art which I aupieciate.
1 think something might be done, but it don't
M-(,m as it rhis act was right.
Mr. May of Ward 24— As the gentleman has
a-ked me hat 1 would do in ease there should be
an opposition oi an Inconsistency between this
law aud the law now upon tbe statute DOoks, I
would cell bum i vould do nothing.
Mr. Sha# — This is an ordinance?
Mi. May— o no! it is not au ordinance. We ask
lot the passage of a law, and evert subsequent
law rescinds every preceding law so far as it is in-
coosisient. But if it did not, I would remedy this
difficulty bv adding a new section, "All parts of
arts, or acts inconsistent with this act are re-
pealed." rh-u the Mavor would be relieved
peiha:s of an possible difficulty, lie might have
somi difficulty in act. running where certain
parties w&o would ba appointed inspectors lived,
but that is a cast that can't be avoided as 1 see.
Ibere are certain cas s where it would b* very
difficult for the Mayor to determine, if he liste ed
to all tae evidence. He might be bothered, and I
am inclined to thiok he would refuse to appoint
on the grouod tnat he could not tell wheie certain
parties nvod. But these cases are not cumeious.
Mr. Sua*- I like the gentleman's hits. Tbey
show i be animus all through. I am giarl if there
is something ele to this, as there maybe. Now,
if the policy of the Government is io repeal all
other laws inconsistent with this, the questio i is
whether there are others which are not better. I
think there are, and I think he can amend it t-o as
ta make it acceptable.
Mr. Crocker — We are merely petitioning for an
act substantially in accordance with the one re-
potted. The Legislature will deteimine the ex-
a?t la< guage a:id if anything is wrong it will be
remedied.
Mr. Ruffin moved to strike out the first section
and substitute the following:
"Whenever, prior to an election, five legal
voters of any ward of the city of Boston shall
nisAfc known in writing to tbe Mayor of said city
their desire io have said election guarded anil
scrutinized, it shall be the outy of said Mayor to
appoint two legal voters of said ward, who shall
be of differeut political parties ana shall be
kDowo and designated as Supervisors of
Election. "
Mr. Kuffin— That simplv do«s away with the
chief objection to the test of the ict — that is, the
necessity of appointing these officers in every
ward of the city. In wards where fraud is expect-
ed, five legal votus can petiti n the Mayor for
thn appointment of supervisors, whose duties
shall oe temporary. Tbe Mayer can designate the
two best men of the different parties, and th.it will
prevent fraud, which I desire as much as an\ one.
Mr. Crocker — It Seems to me tne chief objection
to the olan of my colleague is that the supervisors
will be a sort of supernumeraries ami have noth-
ing to do but sit around. The great thine is to
hav-. thiee men selected by the Mayor aurl three
elected oy the people of the ward, who shall all
be employed in tak'ng and counting votes. It is
hard to anticipate where fraud is going to happen,
and we should be apt to neglect the waid where
fraud is actually goinp. to occur. It is best to
guard against frauds at anv tim^ aud not wait for
somebody to petition tbe Mayor.
The amendment was lost — 25 for, 29 against.
The yeas and nays were ordered, and the order
was passed to a second reading— yeas 30, nays 25.
Yeas— Messrs. Adams, Beecbing, Crocker, Cur-
tis, Cussing, Davis, Day, Felt, Firth, Giagg, Gray,
Guild, Ho»'-s, Jaques, May, Morrill, Monason,
Newton, Osborne, Peacody, J. H. Pierce, O. H.
Pierce, B. Pop-, Sampson, Shepard, Spencdey,
Sweetser, Tickuor, Walbndge, Willcutt- -30.
Nays — Messrs. Barr, Blodgett, Burgess, Burke.
Clarke, Devereux, D. Doberty, J. Doherty, Flyon,
Fraser, Graham, Hall, Ham, Joues,Kellev, Kings-
bury, Mullen, R. Pone, Ruffin, Shaw. Shay, Sib-
ley ,'Stone, Tr=.in, Webster— 25.
Absent or not voting — MesaiS. Bianehird. Fitz-
patnek, Lappen, Loring, O'Donnell, Parker,
Pearl, Ric.°, Bobbins, Smardon, Sprague, A. H.
Tayler, W. Taylor, Trull, Tuttle. Woodbury— 16.
FEUltUARY 3 7
18 7 6
07
Mr. Flynu movec' the subject be specially as-
signed to tbe next meeting at 9 l / 2 P- M.
Mr. May said it was important to have it dis-
posed of now.
Mi. Sibley— I ho. t the motion will prevail. I
don't believe in so much hurry. I have vo^ed to
prevent so much appointing power. If it is goiug
on, let us have toe Mayor appointed by the Gov-
ern r, and the Governor by the President; and it
that is n't enough, let us nave an emperor, or "a
man on huseback."
Mr. Devereux — I agiee with my colleague.
There are seventy-two members of the Council
and only fifty-five present.
The inotion to assign was declared lost. Mr.
Flynu doubted the vote and called rot the yeas
ano nays, which were ordered.
The motion to assign prevailed — veas 26, nays 25.
Yeas— Messrs. Bair, Blodgett, Burgess, Burke,
Clarke, Devereux, D. Dohenv, J. Doberty, Fl.vnn,
Fr, ser, Graham, Hall, Ham, Jones, Kellev, Kings-
bury, Mullen, Osborne, R. Pope. Kuffin, Shaw,
Shay, Sibley, Stone, Tram, Webster— 26.
Nays — Messrs. Adam-, Beeching, Crocker, Cusb-
iog, Davis, Day, Felt, Firth, Grasrg, Gray, Guild,
Howes, Jaques, May, Morrison, Newton, Peabody,
J. H. Pieree, O. H. Pierce, B. Pope, Sampson,
Shepard, Spenceley, S»ertser, Wal bridge —25.
Absent or not voting— Messrs. Blancharo, Cur-
tis, Fitzpatiick, Lappeu, Loring, Morrill, O'Don-
nell, Parker, Pearl, Rice, Roobins, Pmardou,
Sprague, A. H. Taylor, W. Taylor, Ticknor, Trull,
.Tattle, Willcutt, Woodbury— 20.
REPAIRS ON K1SHER AVENUE,
Mr. Morrison of Ward 11 submitted the follow-
ing:
To tne City Council— In relation to vn order of
the City Courcil approved Feb 8, 1876, "That the
Cocbitiiate Water Board be requested to faith-
fully execute all of the conditions made in the
agieemeut with Warren Fisher in relation to the
laymg of water pipes through Fisner avenue so
calleo to the Paiker HiU Reservoir," tne Water
Board desires to make the following statement ot
facts :
Firs' — There i« no condition expressed or im-
plied iu the release of Warren Fisher io the cuy
that the city was to put and krep the avenue in
• good condition after laying the pipes.
Second— The consideration which Mr. Fisher
was to receive for th? right to lay pipes in the
aveiuie was rhe laying ana maintenance of a six-
inch pioe and hydrants oy the city. The pipe nas
been laid anil hydrants set at a cost of $3696, at
the prices charged by the city f r similar size nipe.
Tliiid — The aveiue ■ as put in as good condition
after the pipe was laid as it was iu btfore in ac-
ccidaics with a written agreement with Mr. Hay-
den, another owner on the avenue, and a verbal
agreement with Mr. Fisher; but tbe Water Board
has n. ver either in writing or verbally agreed to
maintain the avenue in iro^d coudition except so
far as it may be disturbed or injured by it in lay-
ing or maintaining its water pipe?.
fourth— The amount rxpended by the Water
Board on tbe avenue (about 2000 feet long) to put
it in rood condition was $1251.69, aud every en-
deavor was made to do the work in a manner sat-
isfactory to Mr. Fisher and Mr. Haycten, ano noth-
ing suggested by them or then representatives
was left undone; the Water Board feels, there-
fore, that the parties have no just, cau-e ot com-
plaint, and that everything that is or could be re-
quired on the part of tne city under any of their
agreements has been faithfully pertorojed.
For the Cochituate Water Board,
L. Miles Standish, President.
Mr. Guild of Ward 9—1 have a word to say about
that, sir. I carnot carry in my mind everything
that has been said on that, but I thick it is a
mark of assurance on the part of the Water Board
to sen:, such a paper in reply to an order which
is the result of a petition I had tbe honor to in-
troduce. Fisher avenue was a private avenue.
The Water Board went to the heirs of Warren
Fisher and desired as I un?erstaiid, o lay the
water pip. s throueb there, and, ot course, ex-
pecteo to pay sime heavy dainaees. 1 am not
ptepared to answer that document a,s I shall be at
another session of the Council ; but at any
rate the heirs of Mr. Fisher had a verbal assur-
ance given that the avenue would be restored in
good condition; that no damage would be suf-
fered from th laying of water pio"S through that
beautiful road; and when asked what the
expense would be, the owners paid, We only wish
onr avenue kept from any d image, and there
shall be no exptu.se to the city of Bo«tor . To my
certain k jo wiedge, in the arrangement of some
po'tionof Par'er Hill, cettaiu oa (sot the landau?,
springs have been disturbed, and alarge quantity of
water is lett upon the road, injuring the pioperty
so that, year aftei yeai, hucdieds of dnlfais have
had to De expended to keep it in proper
renan . The owners have repeatedly applied to the
Water Bos rd and been put off. I have myself
been to a prominent member ol that board, and
he said he would see to it. Now, let me lead the
letter of the late president ot the Water Board :
Cochituate Water Board |
Office, June 1. 1874. )
To Warren Fisher and Family — It is with much
pleasure I am enabled to stare, that by direction
ef the Cochituate Water Board, I am deputed to
express to von its respectful thanks for your
prompt courtesy and public spirit as sbo*~n by
granting to the city of Boston the right to Laj and
maintain water pipes, though Fisher avenue. It
is so seldom that public interests receive such
kind consideration liotn private citiztns without
remuneration, that this board ri sires to tender
you all its most cordial thanks for so marked an
exception to the general rule.
Personally, likewise, I desire to express my own
appreciation of your gentrous action, and my
pleasure in bei> g made the medium for transmit-
ting some expiession of the esteem in .'.hica such
generous conouft is held by the Water Boa.d.
With sentiments of respect I remain
Your most obedient servant,
John A. Haven,
President Cochituate Water Board.
In view of the lateress of the hou-, and tne small
attendance of the Courcil, at d iu order that 1 may
have an opportunity to be heard upon the action
which these generens people performed toward
the citv, I move that the communicatioii be laid
upon the tab:e.
Mi. Morrison— I ho^^ it will be laiu on the rable.
1 have visited these premises and am ready to
make some statements. It is true I have uot been
on the Water Board very long, but 1 have tried to
do my duty. Toe order sent to the Water Board
is simply a discourtesy.
Mr. Guild— I don't charge the gentleman with
discouitey; but when the city of Boston goes
right tbiough a valuable property without any
expense, and leaves it in a condition requiring
hundreds ot dollars, year after year, to repair it,
it is time somebody should be called to account
for it. 1 have no feeling about the Water Board.
But it we have geutlemeo on the Water Boaid
who promise to "see about" and don't see about
it, it shall be called attention to in this public
manner, and I shall be ftlad to do it.
Thesucifct was tabled.
THiS VEGETABLE MARKET INVESTIGATION.
Mr. May ef Warn 24 offered the following :
Ordered, That the special committee appointed
to investigate changes against members of the
Common Council wvtn reference to their action in
the matter of the location of the public vegetable
market on the land of the Intria Wharf Company,
or of the subsequent relocition of said market on
the land of the Mercantile Wha-f Corporation, be
instructed to inquire and report whttber any
money or other valuable consideration was paid,
given or received, and if so by whom, for services,
votes or influence, or otherwise, in the ma iter »f
said location or relocation.
Mr May explained that he offered an order lest
the point might be made that the matter is not
with-'n the jurisdiction of this year's Courcil, and
witnesses refuse to testify. It leally broadens the
ground of investigation, and puts the committee
on a baris woere th^y will b- able ro maintain
themselves and compel ••. itness^s to testify.
Mi. Flynn- 1 desne at this time to make a per-
sonal explanation io iflation to certain chaigas I
made against the President at the last meeting of
the Cotincl.
Mr. Guild— I rise to a point of order. No per-
sonal <-xplanation is in otder without utanimous
consent of the Council.
The P-esident— The gentleman can proceed if
no one object-.
Mr. Guild— That the gentleman from Ward 13
may see the difference cf our natures I will not
object.
Mr. Flynn— I desire to say that 1 publicly with-
draw the charge I made at the la-t meeting against
the Presicent. 1 was misinformed about the mat-
ter, ana confounded the President with another
gentleman who had been to see the President
98
COMMON COUNCIL.
of last year's Council. I saw Mr. Board-
man, and he Mates it in this wise: That the
President went do nun [Mr. Boardman] to see him
aoout another geiirleiiiai-.wlio.se name I will net
now name, and the 1're-idi nt asked if he [Mr.
iirackett] would n't like to go Upon the commk-
tee. and he [Mr. Brackett] said be would. I in;ike
this explanation now, for I think it is due to ihe
President, the Council and myself. I publicly re-
tract what I said at that. rime.
The order was read twice and passed.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
Mr. Crocker | -resented a i>etition Of Edward Page
antl o hers, tor a deed of land on Chuich-sireet
District. Referred to Committee on Claims.
Sent up.
public i.Nsrrn riONS.
Mr. Newton piesented a report from Committee
on Public Institutions, on request jf directors,
recommending the passage o' the following:—
Ordered, That the Auditor of Accounts be au-
thorized to transfer the sum oi rive honored tlol-
lars from the item tor "furniture ami utensils," in
the appropriation For Lunatic Hospital, to the
item for "repairs and alterations'' in tli<- same
appropi iation.
Ordered to a second reading.
\ SSKSSOltS' DEPA RTMENT.
Mr. Cro :B 6 r submitted a report, from Commit-
tee on Ordiiisnces, recommending passage of or-
dioance to amend oidinacce relating to assess-
ment and collection of taxes, in oew draft, as fel-
lows:
Section 1. The scventii seetiou of the ordinance
concerning the assessment and collection of
taxes, printed in the edition of the laws and ordi-
nances tor the year 1869, and amended March 8,
1870, is hereby furthei amended by striking out
the words "and second."
Sect. i. Tin said ordinauce is hereby further
amendi-d by striking out the tenth section thereof
and inserting the following : "Section 10. It shall
he the duty of the First Assistant Assessors to
assise the Assessors in estimating the value of the
personal property, and in their respective districts
with one of the Assessors or Second Assistant
Assessors, to appraise the vame ot the leal estate,
and to take a lis* of the polls therein, and report
the same to the Board of Assessors It shall be
the duty of each of the Second Assistant Assess-
ors, in the district to which he shall be assignea
to visit, in company with one of t the Assessors or
First Assistant Assessors, the different estates in
such district in order to aid such Assessoi or First
Assistant in the discharge of his duties."
Ordered to a second reading.
HAKBOK MASTER.
Mr. Beechieg submitted a report recommending
the election ot John T. Gar Iner aj HarDor Master.
Accepted. Sent up.
BILL TO BE ALLOWED.
Mr. Deveieux of Ward 4 offered the following:
Ordered, That the expense incurred by the
Committee on Elections of the Common Council
for making a phonograpnic report of the evidence
antl arguments m the contested election case ot
Casey vs Shaw, amounting to $162.50, be allowed,
and that the Auditor of Accounts be authorized
to pa«s the b:li and pa\ the -ame from the appro
pnation for Printing.
Ordered to a Becood reading.
i.\t i.i/sion oi VISITORS I Kom Jill. ANTE-BOOM.
Mr. Spencelej of Ward I'.ioffe ed 'he following:
Ordered, That the Cit\ Meseei get- be and be ii
bereby Instructed uo admit no person Dot con-
nected with the City Government totbe ante room
ot the Council Cbamb-r tiuring roe Sessions el
the Council, a'tei the seat:- provided foi visitors
in the CooDcd Chambei arc occupied.
Mi. Fl ynii of Ward 13 objected to the order, be-
cause it "might be a gi u ' inconveniei.ee, and on
motion of Mr. Peabody of Ward 11 the order wa»
laid tm t'ie tabic
COUPOll LOST.
Mr. Peabody offered the following*:
Whereas, the Bank ot France, through their
agents. Messrs. August B Imont & Co. of New
York City, having notified the City Treasurer of
the loss of the coupon due Match 1, 1876, on a cer-
tificate of citv indebtedness numbered 7768, of the
currency loan of the city of Boston, tlateo Jone 1,
1866, under order of May 8, 1st*, and payable
Mai ch 1, 1876, sai<! coupon representing the sum
of $'60, ant; being toe final six months' interest
on said certificate, it is hereby
ordered, That the City Tie-surei be and he is
hereby authorized to pav to said Bank of Fiance
the said *30, a- set forth in the Toregoing pream-
ble, upon satisfactory proof of the loss of said
coupon, ami upon the receiot ol a bond riom the
said Bank of France, which shall be satisfactory
r o the City Treasurer aud approved by the City
Solicitor, to indemnify aud save harmless the city
of Boston for any claim based on said original
coupon.
Mr. Peabody— 1 was not certain whether to nave
that refsned to the Finance Committee, or cot.
It is only a matter of S30 for a lost c jupon, but it
any member thinks it had better take the usual
course, and go to the committee, i* will be satts-
factoiy to me.
Oidered to a second reading.
DIVISION OF WARD TWENTY-TWO.
Mr. Cl?rke presented the petitions of Moses H.
Day et al. and Jacob Edwards et al. for the pas-
sage of an order requesting the Mayor to petition
the Legislature to set off Brighton as a separate
ward, which on his motion was laid on the table.
Mr. Clarke subsequently offered the foPi wing :
Oidered, That his Honor the Mayor be requested
to petition the General Com t at its present ses-
sion for the passage of an act authorizing the di-
vinon of Ward 22 into two wards, to oe known as
Wartls 22 ann 25, together with authority to elect
two members of the Common Council from each
of the said wards.
Mr. Clarke explained that rhe matter was be-
fore the Judiciary Committee and an expression
from the Council is desired.
Specially assigned to 8.45 P. M. of the n°xt meet-
ing.
On motion of Mr. Gray, the Council adjourned.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
1)9
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceeding's of the Board of Aldermen,
FEBRUARY 81, 1876.
Regular meeting at four o'clock 1'. St., Alder-
mau Clark, CoaitrnaD, presiding.
JURORS DRAWN.
Jurors were drawn as follows: Eleven traverse
jurots for the Ea't Boston District Court; four-
teen tiaver-e jurors tor the Highland District
Courc.
EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS.
Special Police Officei— Sumner Thompsoe, 53
Warebam street.
Weigher of Coal— Ottwell J. Wood.
Superintsndent Hav Scales — Horace Liu d all,
Roslindale.
Iuspector and Weigher oi Bundle Hay—Henry
Bailey.
Public Weighers— William L. Smith, Samuel T.
Richards.
Undertakers -Constant T. Benson, Lewi« Jones,
John W. Pierce, Job T. Cole, William H. Brown,
Benjamin F. Smith, Joha H. Peak, Jeremiah
O'Sullivan, William E. Brown. James Haynts,
Robert S. 'i. Maiden, Hugh Taylor, Jeremiau
Tiokbam, William D. Rockwood, Ira W. Oicutt,
Phdip Kennedy, George V. Field, Joseph S.
Waterman. John Heintz, John Haynes, James
Eariell, Ebenea:-r Bird, John W. Lavery, S.
Gleason, George Jolmson, Jr., Samuel J. Crock-
ett, James Cotter, John D. Fallon, George \. Wil-
lard. John B. Burke, Lewis L. Jones, John
Feeney, John McCaffrey, Jabez B. Cole, Alonzo T.
Baxter, Alexis Alexa.der, Simon Barr.v, Joseph
B. Cas-idv, Joseph W<-cber!e, E H. Dunne, Icaiah
Snow, J. P. Keet'e, William K. Whitney, John
Doolin, Bernard E. Murray, Ethan N. Coourn,
John Bryant, Patrick Denvir, John Reade, Mat-
thew Holuen, Benjaaiin Guilo, Junes A. Cogs-
well, Jerome Billings, John L. Perry, Lorenzo
Smith, Michael Ryan, John A. Kelley,John F.
Murphy, Louis Aoam.
Seveially confirnied.
METROPOLITAN RAILROAD.
i'ho Board then pioceeded to the healing on the
petition of the Metropolitan Railroad tor addi-
tional loca ion. in cere in streets.
Mr. Rich ids, president of the Metropolitan
Railroad, explained the p^titio. ; the first and
most imporraut object is to open a new route rrom
the suiithe ly sectiou of the city to Atlantic ave-
nue and tne wharves; the secoi.d ooject is to al-
low the Dox Chester cars to come to the central and
business portion of the city, bv parsing up Sum-
mer street, through Washington, Milk, Hawlpy
and Summer -dieets, back again to Federal str. et
Last year a similar petition was aided by a
petition signed by 4000 p.nrons, hut it fell
though oecause of objectionable features in it.
The route now proposed is a better one. It
is proposed to run finm Roxbury down
Washington street, through Beach, Kings-
ton and other streets to Atlantic avenue; al-
so another train from Leu >x street <'o *n through
Do vei street. The pa-ion.-, along the line desire
this accommodation, which, if graoted, will ob-
viate any necessity of coach li es oo Tremont
street, as had been asked for. He would also
show that .his plan is favored by the h rgest num-
ber of petitioners tnat had ever advocated a horse-
car route
Mr. Richards said he would give way ror the re-
monstrants before proceeding further, but no one
responded o the cad of the Chairman.
Mr. Richatos resumed by saying a familiar
thing, an J ca.-y to be procured is a petition; men
often sign them to get rid of one. The petitions
he presented are signed by men and firms! who
have lead tne petitions and niinany cases debated
the matter, before affixing their signatures, and
he called particular attention to tne l«rge number
of business fitm' and coiporanons r presented
therein.
Jones, McDutf e & Strattoo and 93 others, on
Franklin, Oliver and Washington stteets and At-
lantic avnue; Miner. Beal & Hackett and 25
•thers. Summer, Arch and Franklin streets; Htn-
ry A. Rich and 233 others, patrons ot Boston &
Lynn Railroad; D. T. Harnden and 1450 othei s,
residents of South End and Boston Highlands;
George S. Clark and 580 residents of the South
End and Boston Highlands; Vose & Sons a d 521
others of South End and Highlands; John Dun-
lap and 695 others; G. H. WiDUms and 582 othars;
Thomas Turner and 040 others; John A. Perrv
& Co. ami 764 others: William T.Hart inn 340
others, patrons of the New Yoik & New En. 'land
Railroad — in all 5239 nam s.
Mr. Hart, president of the New York & New
England Railroad, was called by Mr. Richards
and said it would be a great advantage to his road,
and lie oitl nrt see wo at possible objection there
coula be to granting the ro:ite. His road is less
conveniently situated for horse-railroad accom-
modations than others. The toad bad purchased
a grove at Campbell's station for summer excur-
sions, and the horse cars would be a great con-
venience to patrons going to awd from the sta-
tion.
Mr. Richard-; called attention to the uumbe.'of
harbor boats leaving Rowe-'s wtiarf. and to the
Boston & Lvnn toad, anrt he called on A. P.
Blake, president of that load, who said that after
tht conclusive evuienc- given very little occurred
to hi m to say. Since his road oueuea there had
been a constant pressure from patrons for connec-
tion with this oart of the city. They will be re«dy
in a few months to handle 10,000 to 15,000 ueople
daily, all of whom will aave to go to the depot on
foot or in carriage.-. If for no othei iea<o.i the
loute should be grauted to accommodate the sum-
mer travel. The road carrier about 2800 people
daily, and will average 6000 or 7000 in the warm
months. The present omnibus accomodation-- are
entirely ir. sufficient.
E. W. James asked Mr. Blake how mauv pas-
senger" he thought would litre to go to toe Somh
End, and he thought a Urge number would. He
shoulo not feel a»w interest in the .-natter unless
the road is goii g to be built.
Mr. Barnes, president of the Bostoa & Hingham
Steamboat Company, sai.l it would be a great
convenience to patrdus of their boats. Why they
couldn't have a hue of horse cars to O e boats
had been asked for many yens. The tiavel in-
ciea^es rapioly even year, and they would carry
more if they "had horst cars to convey them
to the boats in wai'v < eatber. It would also ac-
coonmodati out of town excur mn patties down
the harbor; and ne thought Downet Landing,
Nan ta-<ket and othei points on t< e South Shore
would vie with Rocky Point and Silver Spring as
seashore resorts for residents of interior cities.
This would be facilitated by horse-car transporta-
tion f> the steamers. Chey run three boats, av-
eraging thre.^ trips a dav, averagirjg 1000 n trip.
If they had the means they would put on a fourth
boat. To Mr. James, he said he would as soon bave
the Highland Railroad Company have the location
Mr. Webs' er, treasurer ot the Boston & LyDn
Railroad, lead a pe ition presented to the Board
last year representing the necessity for additional
horse car; in the i oitnerly sectioiof the city.
There had Keen no hearing oo that petition; there
had been uo substantial objection to it by abut-
teis, aid that petition tepreseuts th? wharf own-
ers, railroad and steamboat companies nd busi-
ness men, and the latter fully realiz? the necea
sity of moie transportation facilities. To Mr.
James he said he asketl for horse-railroad accom-
mouations and not for any oarticular company.
E. W. Ja i es said the. road only wanted the loca-
tion, but be dnl n't belitve they would lay the
tiack. It is the old game of the Metropolitan
road ; thev fight the people i > '.he Legislature and
here, and they have no redress. The West End
people pp.y double fate and are more heavily
taxed than anv other section. He wanted the
provi o put in thai the tiack should be laid within
a year, or the locatiou could be ta (en by any other
road. Unless that was done, they would not have
a road there. Thev got a location at the West
En,;, but would n't lay the tracks.
Mr. Ivicnaros to closing, reminded the Bo ad
that they iii' end to accommodate three railroad
depots; and he hoped this would be the enteriug
wedge foi all. e of hoise railroad on the easterly
suP; ot the city. If the Board giant the location
they wdl :>e thauked by the thousands of summer
excursion ists tiding to and from ihe harbor
steamers in the 0|>en cars. They will connect the
northern depot lines witti these sho e lines,
ami northern passengeis will be allowed
to transfer ar Summer street. He heard
notbi g ti reply to in o exposition. To Alderm^o
Burrage he said Atlantic avenue is 100 feet wide,
and three tracks will not be too much. To Aldei-
man Thimpson he said he would guarantee to
100
BOARD OF ALDK1MI KN
lie^rin and lay the rails as soon a- rhe frost Is out
of the ground i ana tbej will begin a- -non as
they eel tlir grant, »o as to conned with the
Bfeamern which begin runniog in May.
i be petition was r< committed to tbe Committee
•ii Paving.
PETITIONS REFEBBI l>.
To the Commit/it 07! l.itmtis. .1 . .). McNutl
and flfij mx others, owners and. residents oi Tre-
moni street, a^ainsi giancing petition ol J. H.
a r. .1. Bathome, for licenses t<> ran a line of
co < -lie- Iron) Northampton stieet to Le « is wharf
etc.
To the Committee on Sewers. Alton <;. Read
atcf.,foi a sewer i i Rockland stieet: James B.
Maynard, for a se rer in School street, Charles-
town, between High and Sunnier streets.
To tin Committee on Common on the part of the
Board. Jesse U. Jones, tor leave to cut < own a
tree ie tie Bide walk ai the come' of E'ra and
Summer streets, Charle-own.
To the Joint Committee on Fire Department.
Younz Meo's Christian Ci ion, that a clock be
placed in the tower of their new buildim .
T( the Committee on Health on the pert of the
Hoard. Petitions for leave to occupy «table=
as f ollovs: (ieortrP P. Sewall, olo wooden,
twelve horses, on Gibbs court, near Canal stieet:
Timothy Hall than, new wooden, one horse, (iiiten-
wicb street. Ward 24.
Ja^ob Myers it <tl., for leave *o locate a ceme-
tery on Centre street, West Roxbury.
To the Joint Committee on Legislative Affairs.
Nfw fork and New Engla-id Railroad Company,
respecting the control of stock iu the I'nion
Freight Railroad.
To the Joint Committee on the Harbor. Tti<>mas
Cunmnsrhara et al., that the cock between Da-
mon's and Hittinger's wharves o a ilredgea.
To the Committee on Bridges. Jonoson &
Young, tor ltase of the building on Warren
Br 1 dire.
To the Joint Committee on East Boston Ferries.
Requestor tbe Directors of East Boston Ferries,
for leave to sell the ferry boai John Adams.
To ths Joint Committee on Common, etc.
Timothy Splaio, for p' rmissio i to place row boats
on the poor! in he fublu- Garden.
To the Joint Committer on Claims. Daniel J.
Sullivan it ul. .10 be paid for damages for per-
sonal injuries on Foster street, BriebtoD ; James
Haverhan, foi compei saiion tor mat rial used in
construction of Francis-street Schoolhouse.
To the Committee on Paving. W. L. John-
son et al., for -dank sidewalfc on \Ya?hinyton
street, between Poplar ano Albion s;rdets, Ward
23; Geonre L. Burt et al., that Bice Hill avenue,
between Jamaica street and the N>.w York & Xew
Erie Railroad, be put in order; Georire A. Walker
et al., th.t Maple street, Ward 20, hetweeo Cen-
tre and Weld streets, De put in older: E. Por-
ter Dver, Jr.. et al., that Ashland stieet, Ward
23, from Washington to South street, be
nut in order; W. A. Richards et a/., that
Rugeles stieet. betweeo Cabot street and
Shawmut avemu, be srraiied and put io order;
John Cavanagh, for leave to mo fe three wooden
buildings from coiner of C street to West First
street, Ward 13, to wharf land of Perez dishing;
Henry L. Pierce et al., that Rivn st eet, Ward 24,
be patio order: Stacdard Sugrar Refinery et al.,
that Eastern avenue and a street be put 10 orcer
for travel.
PAPERS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL.
Petitions were referred m concurrence.
Report of committee no ninatiog John T. Gard-
ner as Harbor Master. Accepteo io concarrenc.
At the 'equest of A'derman Sampson, the Chair-
man read the petitiors in favor of ihe election of
Captain Francis C. Cates as Haroor Master, and
Alderman Samnso" said the Board cou'd see that
a vr.ry large prepondeiance of ths businessmen
of Boston interested in shipping were in favor of
a chanze.
On motion of Alderman Burraire, an election was
ordered — committee, Aldermen Burrage and
Viles:
Whole number of ballots 18
Necessary for a choice 7
Francis C. Gates had 7
John T. Gardner 5
And Mr. Cates was declared elected. Certificate
sent down.
A report and an ordinance to establish the Bos-
ton Water Board (City Doc. No. 26), together with
a proposed amendment by which tbere shall be
elected by the Aldermen one member, by the
Common Council one membei.and b? the Citj
Council three persons ai large, c«me dp refei red
10 rue Committee on Ordi laoces. Concurre 1
POPI I. VI |u> i>l BOSTON.
1 be following was rei eived and place d 00 tii» :
Boston, Mass., B"eb. 19, i*76.
.v /•'. McCleary, Esq., < ity Clerk. Deal Sir— The
population ol each • ddof the eitj »s at present
established 1- as follows:
Ward. Ward.
I 13,9->5 13 21.982
2 15,422 14 1*,6W
3 Il,lb5 15 11,767
4 11,163 1H H,t>4*
i nS» 17 13.796
6 17,hh0 IS 13,066
7 12,438 19 18.703
8 r.'.fsT 20 15,349
9 12.578 21 11,545
10 10,4311 22 Ih,15o
11 13357 23 1.' 315
12 14.H42 iK 13,1>>-'
Total 341,«l!l
Respectfully yours
Sampson, DavsnpobtA Co.
licenses.
Alderman Bigelow submitted tepoi ts as follow -
from the Committee o:> Licenses:
Wagon Liceusrs|(;ranted— Th'>aias(;ood.31 New-
bernstre-t: Joshua S.Chase, 192 Cental -tieet;
Myron E. \\ inslow. ,1 ( hurch street.
Hacfc Licenses (irant-d — Eugene Hickev. 187
ai>d 189 Chelsea street, Charlestown; James -Ma-
honey , 525 Hatover street.
Intelligence Office Licensed— C. D. Richards, 863
Washington street
Auctioneers Licensed— LewisF. Leiebton, 9 Old
Heat b street, R"xtm v: George Wheatland, .lr..
27 Stats streer.
Dealer.- in Second band Article; Licensed —
Scott & Thompson. 105 Cross street.
Minors' Applications Granted— Twtaty-one
newsboys.
Billiard License Granted— L. A. Hoke, 27 Harri-
son avenue.
Seierally accepted.
EVERETT STREET RAISING.
Alderman Bigtlow submitted a report from t^e
Committee o j Paving on tbr petition of the Bos-
ton, Revere Beach & Lynn Railroad, recommend-
ing the passage of the following:
Upon the petition the Boston. Revere Beach &
Lycn Railroan Company, for leave to raise the
grace or Eve rei t street at tbe intersection of
their frack, ii is hereby
Ordered and decreed. That said Bostou, Rerere
Beach & Lynn Railroad Conor any I shall raise the
grade of Everett street. East Boston, at .he inter-
section of -aia street with said tailroad to an ele-
vation of twenty-seven feet above mean low
wat9r, a: d said company shall grade said Everett
street acemdmg 10 the grade shown by reu lines
on a plari and pofile of said str <>t drawn by the
City Surveyor, dated Jan. 1, 1876. aid nereto an-
nexe I; and said company shad rtsettheedeestones
and repave the nutters "aid gravel ihe roadway of
so much of said street as is affected t»y rhe above
described change of tbe grade, ana said company
sha'l at the intersection 6t its road with saW Ev-
eiett street construct to the satisfaction of the
City Engineer a bridtre with retaining walls ac-
cording 10 a plan and specifications drawn oy tbe
City Engineer, dated Feb. 21. 1876, and hereto an-
nexed, «md said company >ball commerce tbe
above c escribed work without delay and cnmiJete
the -ame ro the entire satisfaction ot the Board of
Aldermen on or before the first day of May, 1876;
provided, however, that before entering uoon said
work said co t'pany shall give to tbe city the se-
curity required by section 88, chapter 372 of the
acts and resolves of the General C«urt of 1874.
Read once.
PAVING ORDERS.
Alderman Bigelow submitted the following from
the Committee on Pavine:
Ordered, Taat the Superintendent of Streets be
directed to remove the trees whicb obstiuct the
sidewalk on W'alk Hill street, adjacent to Mt.
Hope Cemetery.
Read twice and passed.
Schedule of co<t of edgestones in Rogers street,
and order for collection of the sam°. Order read
twice and passed.
NORTHAMPTON-STREET DISTRICT.
Alderman O'Brien submitted a report from the
Joint Committee on Claims, to whom were referred
FEBRUARY 2 1
1 8 7 6
101
the UDseitiecl claims and other unfinished busi-
ness relating to the NortliaiiiotJii-street district,
rerjivsentingthat an additional appropriation oC
$2000 will be lequued for tha payment of certain
small claims yet unsettled ad to meet the «-x-
pense of constructing a dram through Newcouib
stret-t to Harrison venue and of raising a wood-
en building on Fellows court. The unexpended
balance of the appiopriation ^mounts to $647.33,
and there aie outstanding claims which have >.l-
ready been approved amounting to $452, leading
a balance of $195.33 available for the purpose be-
fore mentioned.
Referred to Committee on Finance. Sent
down.
PERMITS FOK WOODEN liUILDINOS.
Alderman Simpson submitted reports from the
Joint Comoiiitee on the Survey and Inspection of
Buildirgs, with orders authorizing tbe issuing ot
permits to erect woouen buildings by Lally &
Russell, corter of West First and C streets; Wil-
liam Morse, 57-59 Palmer stieet; John H. Pattee,
Harris cou/t; severally accordi lg to applicadons
on file in Department for Survey and Inspection
of Buildings. Orders severally read twice and
passeo . .sent down.
STAPLES.
Alderniaa Viles . ubmirted reports from the
Committee on Health ou the part ol ihe Board in
favor of granting permit'- io occupy stables bv
Asa Mitchell, 127 Gold street; James W. Hale,
(iBoyiston square; I). Roby & Co., 280 Causewav
street; Geoigo C. Pearson, Kemble street,
Warn 20.
SEW KHS.
Aldeiman Viles offered the following from the
Committee on Sewers :
Ordered, That the Superintendent of Sewers be
hereoy directed to construct a sewer iu New jomb
street', between Harrison avenue and Prescott
placa; the expense to be charged to the North-
ampton-street District Loan.
Read twice and passed. Sent down.
Oideied, Tuat $32 be bated from the assess-
ment of Mary L. Draper for a sewer in Arcadia
street, and the same amount be asst-sed upon
John G. Day; that $42.68 be abated from Lewis
Colby for a sever in Atnerton street, and the
same amount be assessed upon Rensselaer AVin-
chell; that $102 be abaied from the assessment of
George £. Wood tor a sever in Humphreys street;
that $20.10 be abated fioiu t'je assessment ot Ber-
nard Rooney for a sewer in Cherry street, aid the
same amount assessed upo i Patrick Mulligan:
that $40.86 be abatsd fiom Joun D. Finn and
others foi a sewet in Bremen stieet, and the same
amount bh assessed upon David II. Blaney ; that
$3.72 be abated fro n the assessment of Amos Stone
tor a sewer in Saleui-stieet avenue, on account of
an ovet-estiinate of land; that $25.84 be abated
fjooi Elizabeth Seiberlich for a ,-ewet in Harrison
avenue, and toe same aiuo-int be assessed upon
G. R. Reicharat; that $35.27 be abated from
Benjamin B. Newhall for a sewer in Savin Hill
avenue, and $28 48 of the same amount be assessed
upon Richard J. Taff ; that $120.67 be abated from
Betsey K. Batchelder foi a sewer in Blue Rill ave-
nue, and $88.96 of the same amount be assessed
upon Anna Colem? a; that $15.89 be abated from
William R. Page for a sewer in Gheise,. street, and
the same anion i.t tin assessed upon John Carroll;
that $2.27 be abated from the assessment of Ann
Haskins for a sewerin Maverick street, uu account
ot an over-estimate of land: that $3.74 be abated
from the assessment of Thomas W. Tuttle for a
sewer in Boston stieet, on account of over-esti-
mate of land.
Read twice and passed.
FIRST ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
Aldeiman Wdidden submitted a report from
the Joint Committee on Asses«ors' Department,
recommtnding the election of the following-
named persons as Fiist Assistant Assesseis:
William J. Ellis, John Noole, Nathaniel Siaver,
John Brown, George D. Ricker, Charles Nowell,
Horace Loring, Joseph L. Drew, George K. Wil-
liams, Edward F. Robinson, Nahuui Chapiu,
Theophilus Buir. George S. Pendergast, William
Gallagher, Henry W. Wilson, A. R.Holden, Lucius
C. Chase, Dennis Moore. Johu McElroy, George
W. Tisdale, S S. Wilson, William B. Long, L. Fos-
ter Morse, Phineas B. Smiih, Andrew J. Browne,
William H. Gundy, Henry Pierce, John Pierce,
Joseph R. Grose, Gideon Walker, William B.
Smart, Ira D. Davenport, George H. Williams.
Report accepted. Sent down. Election laid ou
the table.
LAND DAMAGES.
Alderman Barrage, from th* Committee eu
Srreets on the pait of the Board, submitted an
order to pay Lucinda Maria Tatt $250, for land
taken aud damages occasioned by the laying out
of Savin Hill avenue. Read twice nod passed.
MARKET.
Alderman Burrage offeied the following:
Ordeted, That the Suaenntendent of the Market
be authorized to employ, with the approval of the
Mayor, one deputv, to assist him in the discharge
of the duties of his office.
Read twice and passed.
CITY HOSPITAL.
Alderman Burrs ge submitted a report from the
Joint Committee on Citv Hospital, on request of
directors for the ,-etting asio'e of unexpended
balance of appro Driation foi cunent expenses for
tarnishing a.dition to hospital, tiiat the unex-
pended b.tlance of the regular appropriations re-
maining at the end of each tinaucial yeir are by
ordinance applied to the reduction of the city
debt am: ate pledged tor the paymeut of the
same ; therefore your committee are of tli * opin-
ion that it would be nexpedient to giant t.ie re-
quest of the trustfes and thus deviate ftom the
established financial policy of the ciiy. The re-
quired sum has been included in the estimate for
me regular appropriation for the .iext financial
year, wtiich has oeen approved by your committee.
Acceptetl. Sent down.
OLD STATE HOUSE.
Alderman Pope submitted a report from ihe
Joint Committee on Public Buildings, represent-
ing that the leasee of rooms in the old State
House expire on July 1,1876, and asking foi in-
structions as to the disposition of the property
after that date.
Refentil to Joint t'omm.ttee on Stivers. Sent
down.
HACK TAKES FOR CENTENNIAL BALL.
Ahieiu.an Bigelow offeied the following:
O d red, Th t upon the ace*' iou of the Centen-
nial Bali at Musi.: Hall, on Thursday, the 24th
inst., the rates of ta^e to be paid lor the use of
ha.dvs by persons returning from the ball shall be
established as follows : la the city proper for each
carriage with one or two passengers, $1.50; with
three passengers, $2; with four or more passen-
gers, $3. In going to the following-named places
ot the city there shall be paid tor the use of each
carriage the following rates, viz.: To East Boston,
South Boston, Roxbury or Charlestown, $4; to
We r Roxbury or Dorchester, $4; to Brighton, $6.
Re<td twice and passed.
FENCE VIEWERS, ETC.
Aloerina.i Bigelow offered an older for a com-
mittee to nominate suitable candidates for fence
vie wei s, field drivers, in -ptctor : of lime and cull-
ers of hoops, etc.
Passed, and Aldeimen Bigelow, Burnhi in and
Sampson weie appointed said committee.
DISTRICT COURTS.
Aide/man Stebbius offered the following:
Ordered, That the Chairman of this Board, act-
ing in its capacity as County Commissioners of
Suffolk County, be authorized to petition the
Legislature, at its present sessio->, for a thorough
investigation of the Municipal and Police Disttict
Court system of tht State, with a view of reor-
ganizing the same for the purpose of securing a
more economical and efficient method of trans-
actugthe business peitainmg thereto; also for
the passage of an act providing taac th* salaries
paid to the constables ot the Superior and Munici-
pal courts of Suffolk Cointy shall be pro-
portioned to the amount of servicts rendeied, and
that all fees now accruing to said officets shall be
paid int' the couuty treasury.
Ordered, That the Committee on County Ac-
counts be authorized in behalf of this Board," act-
ing iu its capacity as County Commissiocers of
Suffolk County, to appear before any commit-
tee of the Legislature and represent the interests
of the city at all hearings given on the subject
described in the foregoing order.
Aldeiman SteDbins— The repoit and oidtrs sub-
mitted by toe Committee on County Accounts at
the last meeting of the Board necessarily went to
the other branch for concurrent action. The or-
ders requested his Honor to petition the Legisla-
ting for an investigation suggested by the com-
mittee. It will be noticed by the proceedings of
the other branch that the matter was laid upon
102
BOARD OF A L 1 ) K R M J •: N
tiif tiibi • for future and further inquiiy. Now,
sir, for the purposes of tins Investigation! it
will he necessaij for the Board of Aldermen
acting as County Commissioners 10 be represent-
ed i ■ i tt e Legislature by a petition framed in this
way; auo it is so trained that we may have a
Standing before I lie (ieneial Court, is Wednesday
is the list day when petitions can be leceived
without a suspension of the rule, which requires
a four-firths vote. The Committee on County
Accou&ts have already been reques e«l by the
chairman ot the special Wgisiative "com-
mittee 10 appear and state the result of
their investigations. Of course, the committee
feel that they are not authorized to appear
with tne prestige of some vote or order
of the Board of Aldeimen, and tor tint purpose
these orders have been introduced in tn^ir present
form. It is lather an unusual comse, perhaps
but strictly legal. It ought to i« stated that this
in intended a^ DO slicrlit or diSK speet to his Honor
the Mayor, but simply to obtain our legal rights
and a standing before the Geneial Court.
The ordeis were pas?ed.
On motion of Alderman BuiVAge, the Board ad-
journed.
103
COMMON COUNCIL
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
FEBRUARY 24, 1876.
Regular mee'ing at 7V 2 o'clock P. M., J. Q. A.
Bracked, President, ir the chair.
PAPERS FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Paoers were referred in concurrence.
Reference to Committee on Stieets of a report
of ttie Couiinitt-e on Public Buildings, asking in-
structions as to toe disposi ioo of the Old State
Hous- after July l, 1876, ai. which time toe leases
ex owe. Concurr d.
Refeience <o Committee on Finance of a request
or ibe Committee ou Claims for an additional ap-
piopriation of $2000 lor the payment of small
claims relating ito the Northampton-street dis-
trict. Concurred.
Repo t of inexpedient to gra^t the request of
the Tiustees or the City Hospital, that the unex-
p^nd^u balance of the appropriatioa for cur ent
expenses be carried over to ttia next ficaucial
year. Accepteo in concurrence.
Reports at d orders autooriziog permits for the
election of vtoouen buil lings to be issued, viz.:
1. William MLorse, at 57-59 Palm°r street.
2. John H. Pattee, on Hams court, Ward 4.
3. Lally and Russell, West First, coroer of C
Etreet.
Orders severally rtad twice and passed in con-
currei.ee.
Oroer for the construction of a sewer in New-
coab street, bet «eeu Harrison avenue and Pres-
cott place Read twine, under a suspension of the
rule on motion or Mi. Tram of Wara 21, aDd
passed in concurrence.
HARBOR MASTER.
A certificate came do»n of the election, bv the
other branch, of Francis C. Cateo as Harboi Mas-
ter.
lhe President— Is it the pleasure of the Council
lo proceed to au election?
Mr. Swceiser of Wara 17 — Before we proceed to
an elei'tio-i of Haibor Master, as there has beeo
considerable contest as to tne oroper person, if
tber° is no objection I should like to nave read
■ he petitions whica have been sent to the commit-
tee la favo of bo:h of the candidates.
Mr. Grav of Waid 14—1 hardly see the necessity
of reading that long li«t of names. I suppose
every membei of this Cuncil is well aware how
«-asily pt-titioas Ccti be obtained tor any purpose;
aidl suppose fflso toat every ineuber <>f the
Council is well posted as to th- election of Harbor
Mas er. We must know about Captain Gar ue:,
the present itcii i bent; and since the election in
the Board of Aldeimeu I have tneo to find nut
about Captai ■ Cates, ana I think, by exebangbg ■*
few notes ne.e, we can 'earn more about bolb par-
ties than »e ca> by leading the petitions Captain
Gaiduer has served the city a number of years.
When I was in the Couacil several years ago,
charges were biought agmsi Captain Gardner,
wnich I itive-tiiated, and I lou. d t<>e man so
cleaD.such a good officei, and wotking for the
interest ot the city, tbat J became interested io
bias, aad have always since kept mv eye upon tbe
office as well as I co.ild, though ^>ot having any
particular mUres> in tbe man, and when I tave
seen anything in regaid to the oflflcs 1 hav? taken
notice of it. I » as very much surp ised at the vote
in the Boai d of Aidermea last Moncay. 1 supposed
that atte the committe- hao notiinated Captain
Gardnei there would be no trooble about his ela-
tion, as that Board usuallv sustains tbe nomination
of .he committee. Since then I have takes some
pains to inquire into the matter of Harbor Master,
and have cailf-o u^on some gt-ntl erne o notintere t-
ed in that particular line of tugboars no v pressing
tne nomination of Captain Catee ; they are gen-
tlemen tnte estsd io tugboats, a-.d are thorough-
ly pos rd in the outies of Harbor Master. I had
the pleasure of laiking with ■» gsotle nan last
eveni g whom 1 knew to be a man of veracity,
and I know he stated tbe truth; and ne savs he
kuo«s cotb o*' i he men, ana there is no ques-
tion that Captain Gardner is far ahead of
Captain Cates m regard to qualification
and ■ bib ty for the office. He informs me that
the history of the c?se is something like this:
Two years ago, Certain paities running tugboats
in this hacoor employed Captain Cates as ooe of
tneir capta'ns. Owing to bis overbearing manner
and disagreeable ways, ha became so distasteful
to them that, they would iiot longer keep bim in
their employ; but, tbroagu his rnfluence, a
consolidation *\as made with certain other
oat ties, and they formed, I believe, the
T-wharf Tug Boat Company, and such was
the influence of Captaii Cates that the
company contracted to employ him for six
years at $1800 per yea:. Thitis a written contract,
as I unaetr.taud it; ana here is what seems very
st ange to tne: The man who is now beingpr*-ssea
for thi« position, tbe saiary of which, according
to the report of the committee, looks as if it will
be only $1000 a year, is uuder a contract for em-
ploy by tnis company at $1800 a year, for tnree
years more. That seems very curious to me. As
1 understand this matter, wben this tugboat com-
bina. ion was made, Captain Cates was employed
xor Ave yeais; they made Mr. Winsor
superintendent, and the que tion came
up what position , they would give Captain
Cates. and what they would call his office. They
used hi.n to take t e places of certain captains
when they wete away, ami finally decided to call
bim assistant tuperintendeot. But business has
not turned out as they expected; they nave not
m<f.de so unii.-b money, ana now they come and ask
the citv to turn out a good officer and take Cap-
tain Cates, whom they want to get rid of. It has
beea intimated that some members of this Council
are la,rge stockholders in this tugboat company, and
are using their influence to secure Captain
Cates's election; and I doubt, if under our
rules, tbev, being iiterested parties, have tbe
right to vote u;on a matter of this kind. Now it
is said that Cantaia Cates is a citizeo of Charlea-
town ; but i hold id my hand a certificate f torn the
Treasurer snd Coliectot of Somerville, Aaron Sar-
gent, thai, Captain Cates paid a poll tax in Somer-
vi'le on Oct. 30, 1875. He is not a citizen of Bo^
ton, but of Somerville, and is brought in here to
take tbe place of a man who has served the
city faithfully fifteen years. And for what?
So tbat a certair corporation can get
nd of a man whom tney are forced to
employ three years longer at $1800 a year. It is
said he has maae trouble in the company, so thai
certain captains have lefi,and say the/ will not
siay whiie ue has anything to do wita tnem. I
had ihat information from a reliable source — from
a man » ho built a tugboat for one of those cap-
talus who left their employ because De would n't
work undei a man of that kind. There is no ques-
tion about those facts. I went to men wholly dis-
interested io Captain Gardner antj Captain Caces,
who said it would moke no diff sreoce to them, per-
ro ally, whethar Captain Gardner or Captain
Cates is Haibor Master. I hope the CoudciI will
pause before rewovicg Captain Gardner and giv-
ing tb? offic to one who is not acitizen of B iston.
Mr. Deveieux of Ward 4 — I had ro idea that I
should stand here toniubt as an advocate of any
particulai cacdidate tor 'ue office of Harbor Mas-
ter, oi to denounce another one in his character,
or a- sail him in ai,y way. That is not the purpose
for which I stood up ; but I am here to express my
uttrr astonishment at the manner in wnich tne
gentlemaa has ascailed the ehaiacrer of Captain
Cates. I have known Captain Cates for many
years to be a good citizen, a a.o:t efficient officer,
ao able pilot and a man thoroughly conversant
with Boston Haibor— no man is more so in
Boston. As to his livig in Somerville this
moment, I don't know; I only know he has lived
in Charlestown tor many years; and 1 think lie
will stand as hisrh for character, reputation, effi-
ciency and faithfulness to duty, should he be
elected, as Captain Gardner, whom I have known
for many years. But the question is, mainly, shall
we elect a man « ho is deficient? 1 had the honor,
as a meujber of toe Council, to present a petition,
signed oy many citizens ot Boston interested in ship-
ping, by'tbe marine insurance officers and others,
urging ins election of Francis C. Cates as Harbor
Master, in place of Captaia Gardner, on account of
the inefficiency of the latter gentleman. I have no
persoual interest in (he case, althougn I know
homething or the wants of tbe position ; but wben
a paper comes to this Council sigDed by such men,
who voluntarily put their signatures to it, I be-
lieve it should receive the weight it deserves, and
I hope, with toe gentle nan from Ward 17 [Mr.
Sweetsei], that it will be read.
Mr. Howes of Ward 18—1 had no intention of
saying anything upon this subject; but the very
glowing eulogy pronounced by the gentleman from
FEBRUARY 24, 1876
104
Ward 14 upon Captain Gardner calls J or some
statement from tbe other side. I have no per-
sonal preferences in this matter, and tbuK that
perhaps better candidates could have been chosen
than the i wo named; but I r-ust say that I be-
lieve, from repeated statements, that Captain
Garuner Iias not performed his dutie- satisfactori-
ly to a largft majority of trie merchants and ship-
pers ot Boston for tiie last three or four years.
That fact is cotorious, acd one need not go but
a vei \ short distance to find it oat. What Che own-
ers of the various tugooats in Boston Harbor may
say, I know not; but I kuow the owners of the
steam lines complain of the ns>gle 'l of Captain
Gaidnerano the inefficient di-:cnaige of his duties.
I bave no interest in ih& tugboat companv, al-
though I had the honor to be published in one of
the Sunday papers as a stockholder; it was the fiist
time I was aware of it. I was really surprised
when Captain OatesV name was introduced, be-
cause I thought a oe'tsr man migtit have been
nominated.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17—1 v ish to say one
word in regard to this subject, inasmuch as the
gentleman from Ward 14 has stated facts which
exist only in nis invagination. He alleges that
partes interested in the Boston Tug Boat Com-
pany are pressing this change. I know of none
such. 1 could n't have stated who toe stock-
holders of that company were until I was shown
the list tonight. The g- ntleman may have alluded
to me; but 1 do tot own any of the stock.
I am ouly anxious to secure a good Harbor
Master for Boston Harbor. 1 appeared be-
fore tbe Committee on Harbor to advocate
the transfer of ihe duties ot Harbor Master to the
.Police Department, as a measure of economy—
they having a steamboat under their charge— that
would save the city $3000 0( $4000 a year; but t&e
committee imported adversely upou thnt proposi-
tion. Since then I have felt that tbe better course
to be pursued was to get rid of Capcaiu Gardner,
and >o I took up the only other n*nie prese ted to
us. I have inquired about Captain Gates ; he i" a
resident of Charlestown, and he only went to Som-
erville to live for a few months in the summer, to
return in the fall. I have the misfortune to be
the only man in the Council personally interested in
shipping, and I state from my own personal know-
ledge that thepreserjt Harbor Master is utterly
inefficient. For fiv<» yeais I have passed up and
down tbe harbor daily, in one of the steamboats
during the summer, 1 nd have uad an opportunity
to judge personally or the performance of the
duties ot Harbor Master. Being also interested m
the Philadelphia Steamship Line, I know of the
neglect ot his duties from that source. I
have some interest 111 getting a man elect-
ed to the office who will perform the
duties; and that was one motive which
actuated me in advocating the transfer of tbe
office co the Police Department, for then if we
had an inefficient man we could get him removed.
Heretofore, it has been almosf impossible to get a
man removed on account of political influences.
Mr. Beecning ot Ward 1— As a member of the
cotumitte-* who renominated the present Haibor
Master, I desire to say that I have no peisonal
inteiest 111 the matter whatever, a^d onlv desire
to get the best and most available man tor the
position. It will be remembered that I was put
upo.i the Harbor Committee, before, whom
came tbe mattei of abolishing tb° office
ot Harbor Master. We gave a hearing
to interested parties and had quite a large
number of gentlemen before us. The duties of
Harbor Master a ere pretty thoroughly discussed;
and it struck me as a remarkable fact that as I
had heard of a great deal of dissatisfaction among
shi, owners in regard to Captain Gardner, we dia
n't near anything of it then. One or two gentle-
men made remarks in regard to the laxity of Cao-
tain Gardner in the performance 01 his duties,
while others spoke very highly of him. Some
members of the Committee on Harbor were mem-
bers of ths committee to nominate a Harbor Mas-
ter, and this same matter was considered by them.
We had the petitions in favor ot Captain Gates be-
fore us, and looked over them ; and we also had pe-
titions in favor of Captain Gardner, which we
thought as strong as the other, and taking
everything we could get, we thought we had
the best candidate in Captain Gardner. The
committee weie not unanimous; four were in
favor ot Captain Gardnei, and one was opposed
to him. I have learned that quite a number of
gentlemen sign°d the petitions in favor of Captain
Gates without leally knowing what they vere
signiug. A gentleman told me this morning that
he did n't know he was signing a petition in favor
of any one else; he dii n't like Captain Gardner
and thought he was signing a petition to have
him removed, but he 01a n't know he was
Signing a petition to put a,ny one else theie. Veiy
likely a large number of persons signed the peti-
tions under a misapprehension. Knowing how
petitions are got up, and bow easy it is to get a
man to put his name to one, I don't regard peti-
tions as v. luable unless they are signed by per-
sons who know their contents. The committee
weie satisfied in their own mind that it was best
to nominate as th>y did. I speak thus for the
committee, knowing that they desired to get a
good m in for the place.
The reading of tne petitions was ordered — 12 for,
10 against— ana the President read them.
A o election was ordered. Committee— Messrs.
Gray of Warn 14, Sanipson of Ward 17 and Sprague
of Ward 10,
Whole number ot votes 65
Necessary for a choice 33
Francis C. Cates had 42
John T. Gardner 23
And Mr. Gates was declared elected in concur-
rence.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Oidsi to pay $30, the amount of «. lost coupon,
to the Bank of France Pas.-ed. Sent up.
Order to remit $1238, assessed upon tne Mercan-
tile Wharf Corooration.and based upon the valua-
tion of 30,137 square test ot land now included in
Clinton and Comm?ieial streets.
Mr. Flynn of Waro 13 asked for some explana-
tion ot the report, but as no one volunteered to
give any, on liis motion the order was laid on tne
table.
Order ro allow and pay $162.50. the expense of
makiog a ihonographic report of th* evidence
and arguments in the contested election case of
Casey vs. Shaw. Passed. Sent up.
An ordit i.nce to amend an ordinance concern-
ing the assessment and collection of taxes. Mr.
Flynn thought this a very important matter; and,
as the hour was late and there was a light attend,
ance, he moved to specially assign it to Thursday
next, at 8y 2 P. M. Carried.
Order to transfer, in the appropriation for Luna-
tic Hospital, from tb« item for "furniture and
utensils" to that for "repairs and alterations" the
sum of $500. Laid ou the table, on motion of Mr.
Morrison of Ward 11.
THE SALARY BILL.
At the call of Mr. Jaques of Ward 11, the special
assignment for eight o'clock was taken up, viz.:
Order that the salaries established by the City
Council for the several officers of the city be con-
tinued from April 1, 1876, at the rate- nov paid,
until otherwise ordered, — substituted foi report of
the Committee on Salaries. [City Doc. No. 22.]
The question was 011 recommittal to the Com-
mittee on Salaries.
Mi. Jaques of Ward 11— I have nothing further
to sav upon the geueral subject than to express
the hope mat the motion co recommit will not
prevail; Decause I believe the committee will
simply return a lepoit to tbe ?ane effect as the
one which is now before the Council. I think the
Council ae as *ell prepared to act upon this sub-
ject now as they ever will be.
Mr. Howe s— There is very little to sav just at
present. I think tbs vote of the Council assign-
ing the subject to this meeting was a tacit under-
standing that ir would not be sent back to the
committee, which can 00 no go id, and will only
cause the loss of a week's time. I hope the mo-
tion to lecommit will be lost.
Mr. Shay ot Ward 19—1 certaioly hope the mo-
tion to recommit will 110c prevail. I think the
committee have done all th-.y can in this matter,
ana it will be useless to send it back to them for
furfhei investigation. As was suggested last
Thursday night, 1 understood that the Council
were to take up and act upon the aifferent sec-
tions. So far as mv knowledge goes, I don't think
the Council is ready to receive the report of the
Salaiy Committee, and 1 was in hopes we should
come 10 a vote, substitute the oider from the
Board of Aldermen, and then we can determine
whechertbe Council is in favor of a reduction of
salaries or not.
The motion to recommit was lost.
The President— The question is upon the motion
of Mi. Howes to substitute the orders recommend-
ed in the report ot the Salary Comrniitee for the
order passed by the Board of Aldermen. If any
K >r>
(COMMON" OOUNCIL,
amcuaujt in- are to be nuade to the orders id the
printed teport ol ;hc Salary Committee it will be
necessary to make tbem before soosHtoilon.
Mi. Fly an ot Ward n— i suggest that the order*
be taken up aid pas: ed upon senatun. as has
been the custom in the Conned. Each s.ilai v will
then be presented 10 tne Council to b<- acted
upon. There are some salaiies which members
desin- to n iiuce, and if the ordeis are actetl on in
tnat way the Council can settle the matter in a
shoit time.
Mr. Mori i.-on ni Waid 11— Is the question now
upon passing the salary hill as it came from the
Hoard nf Alo-i inen, and rot tne adoption of the
report?
The President— The question is upon the substi-
tution of the ortlers in the report for the order
passed by the Board of Aldermen: and amend-
ments to the amendment must be made before the
vote is taKen, otherwise, if the substitution pre-
vails, it will cut off all further amendments.
Mr. Train— I may be somewhat obtuse, but 1
don't understand tne matter, it we accept the
repoit of the committee, do'-s it leave "he salary
bill open for discussion? or if we adopt the report,
do we cut ourselves off from any further discus-
sion of the salary question?
The President — Ihn question no v beloi;> the
Council is not upon the passage of the order from
the Boaro of Aldermen, but upon the substitution
of the ordeis in the repot t; aud thev being before
the Couucil it is compete -it to amend rhein before
the vote is taken.
Mr. Ruffin of Ward 9 moved to amend by mak-
ing: the salary of the patrolmen of the Police Pe-
partment $3 a day, instead of $2.75 as in the
orders.
Mi. Flynn renewed his suggestion to take up
the sections seriatim, aud made that motion, Mr.
Ruffin withdrawing his amendment.
Mr. Peabody of Ward 11— I dou't shuns: from
any work that comes upon us which will be likely
to do any goon ; but it seems to me that it is quite
imoossible for this Council to consider the salary
bill and decide upon it in the hasty way in which
H is brought up here. We have seen it tried be-
lo:e in the Council ; we Dave s^ en the whole bill
gone through with, item by item; we have
seen one man's salary altered, and immedi-
ately it turned out tliat there were three or
four others whose salaries had been graded
in past years to bear a certain relation to that of
the first man, and it became necessary to make
some alterations in the others; then we found an
inequality in three or foui others, ana the re«ult
was that after lone debates on it we finally got
the bill into such a mess that it was admitted that
we had spoiled it, and we went bacK to tlie bill as
originally reported. It seems to me that the
safei way is to adopt the order as it came
from the Aldermen, or else adopt the report
of the Committee on Salaries. Iu the one
case, we slnll fix the s -,1a ties *s they were
settled by toe committee of last year, who
studied the subject with greater care and pre-
cision than we can do heie; and in the oihei case
the salaries have been studied by the committee
of this year; and I feel quite confident that tne
wisest course tor us to pursue will be to take the
salary hill as put in shape hy one of those two
committees. If the orders are taken up iiem by
item, I am confident the Council will speud a
great deal of time on it, and perhaps not be satis-
fied with then work after it is finished. My own
impression is that the wisest thing we can do is to
concur with .he Board of Aldermen.
Mr. Jaques — I agree with the suggestion of my
colleagu that the Council will be more likely to
make mistakes ana ao injustice and create in-
equalities by voting on each section separately,
than it we shoulo adopt one or the other of the
two orders. I think the piopor way to arrive at
the sentiment of the Council is to have ± vote, by
some means, which will indicate whether or not
aoy reduction is desired. If a reductiou is deemed
necessary and desirable, in my opinion it would
be better to fix a peiceotage that would apply to
all alike, whether it be five, ten or fifteen per
cent. The plain fact is, there is no knoweldge in
the bauds of the Council or the Salary Committee
that is thoroughly reliable and wbi*h will justify
tbem in making any changes in *he lelative scale
of these salaries. Tne simple question is, Were
most of these salaiies high 6nough for the times
in 1870? If so, there is ceitainly great plausibility
in the suggestion that they are too high for the
times of today, and lo apply a general perceutage
of reduction woula perhaps be the fairest
wa\ to firel ritl of it. 1 am certain tha t we
shall accomplish nothing if we attem pt to
tike up each section separately, o. account
ot tne sentiment that memoer* bave tow-
ards particular incumbencs in office, on ac-
count of the labor they perform, or their i>e culiar
feelings towatl th. m o'.sonallv. I submit that
that is Dot toe way this sal it v bill should
be tteated. We want to do "justice to the
officers ana tne taxuayers; and 1 wi-ii the
Council ..ould t'ecide to vot- first as t> whether
it waDts a reduction, aod if we vote to make a re-
duction we cau tlieu determine what percent age it
shall be.
Mi. Sweetsct of Ward 17— I believe itisgeuet-
aliy considereJ that there is great inequaliu in
the salaries as they now -tand. and that it i- most
desirable that those inequalities should be uoDe
away with. This general reduction ol ten per
cent, will leave the same inequalities in the sala-
ries that exist oow, as it will h,wer all salaries in
tbe same proportion. I agree with the gen-
tleman on my left [Mr. Peabodyl that
these discussions will lea a to no good. I
booe this bill will not pass, but thai the
order from the Board of Aldermen will pass, and
after that we shall have a committee appoiot.-.a to
considei the whole subject of sa'aries, and by the
end of the year report a scale of salaries that
will do justice io all tne employes of the city.
Mr. Howes— My objection to the motion latt
made is th»t it takes all th» work of tbe commit-
tee away from them. It the Council is to pass
upon each individual case as it comes up, there is
haidly any need ot the committee havnu tej-ort-
ed at all. We could have taken last year's bill,
gone over it, and each member could have
struck out or added somethicg as he saw
fit. There is something in the st^t-nient
that a general reduction deals fairly all rouud.
To the gentleman last up I would say that a rec-
ommendation of the committee of this year =)Ould
have possibly a personal weight with the Council
of next year, arid it would be neces-ary for next
year's Salary Committee to determine what the
salaries should be.
Mr. Firth of Ward 16 — I have read somewhere
an old fable, tliat in a time of great drought a
man appeared who claimed that he could give
th-3 people rain. All wanted rain; just as a gen-
eral reductiou of salaries is what is wanted he^e;
but he required the contiitioa that al' should
agree as to the tiu.e— the day and the hour when
tne rain snould come. The conoition simply
defeated the proposition, tho people would not
agree ; and in this matter of economy I think we
should oe very much in the same posi-
tion if we undertook to decide upo i each
man's salary. There is no oce ol us —
even those, I suspect, who are best ac-
quainted — who knows everybody bere. We must
take it on trust, and ?,ssume that in tne fixing of
the salaries in f umot years, sound jut gment has
generally b-:en exerciseu; and acting ou thi> -
sumptioi.. we must either take something like the
leport of tne committee, ana make a general re-
duction, or take the cours2 of the Board of Alder-
men anc leave the salaries a« they are. If we do
not a^opt one ot these two courses I doubt if we
can agree and accomplish anything. My own
idea is tb=.t the most just course' would be "to ac-
cept the report of the committee. It seems to me
that tbe reasons given for a reduction, io the
"hard times,' and, the lessening of the in-
comes of everybody, speaking in a general
way, apply here. There is n't an officer in the
employ of tne city vrho ca.-iiot sea the equi-
ty of the demand to reduce city expenses; aud if
there be inequalities in these salatie :, as has been
said— and which I assume to be the fact, because
so many people havo said so— will it not be bet'er
to pass tuis bill as it is, applying an impartial rule
to all city employes, and then let the committee
come in with such amendments as thev or some
other committee may deem necessary?
Mr. Morrison of Ward 11— I could not vote for
tne order as it is reported by the committee, be-
cause I know it would be doing injustice to many
of the city officers, i have no" doubt thic others
here, as well as myself, know that many of these
officers have been long tried and are worth the
money we pay them. I su jpose it will perhaps be
invidious to call names, but I will direct attention
to a single item in this report, where injustice
would be doue. Take section 5, page 38. The
office of City Architect and his salary were estab-
lished by th% Building Committee, by permission
of the City Council. It was a new idea. The city
FEBRU AR Y 24
18 76
106
had beeu paying $ 15,000 or $20,000 a year lor tha
services or architects. The salary paid tins officer
was $3000, lower than for any other similar posi-
tion, because tie was then untued. I remember
mat at the last m'-eting my colleague [Mr. Pea-
bodv] oiade a siatemant in regard to Mr. Stewart
ot New York, who said he Dever cut down sala-
ries, and if he, l.ao an employe who did u't come
up to his idea«, they parted. The woik of an ar-
chitect is a r gular profession; he ha s to s.udy
verv long aud pay toi tuitio.i, and it costs a great
deal for books, i know for certain that the City
Architect has sp-;nt over $1500 for books within
a year aiid a half. He is very active ana effi-
cient; and 1 pieie d to know about that, for 1 am
•-» builder ano work sfter a:chitects. Now, Mr.
Stewart employs an architect, a brother of one of
our beads ot departments, and pays him $10,000 a
year and travelling expenses, ano he lias done it
for years. It is Mr. Edward Harris. The City
Architect < ught really t > have $5000 a year. There
is uo competent architect in Boston, who under-
stands cairying on the business as he does, but
earns more than $5000 a year , and I sa* it
would be doing bim great injustice to cut
down his salary. He was cieated a head
of a department near the close of last
year, and it would be unjust to cut down the
initiatory sal try tendered uim before he w^ tued,
for he saved the city $12,000 last year, as can be
shown by tue Auditor's accounts. He not only
designs work, but superintends the whole thing,
acd to cut uown ui- salaiy would be gross injus-
tice, lean say this in regard toother offic rs,
for I have been in City Hall seven years and al-
ways kept myself posted in regard to uepart-
rne'-ts, officers, etc. I hope we shs.il pass the order
as H came from the Boaid of Aldermen.
Mr. (iray— if w _> pass the order adoptetl by the
Aldermeo, wouia it not be coinpeteut to alter tne
salaries at any future d?y?
Ibe President- It will. This order tloes not
apply to the year, out "until othe> wise ordeieo."
The Chair thinks it would oe in order at any uims
to chaiue tue salari s.
Mr. (iray— I agiee with the gentleman from
Watd 17 tnac we shall get into tiouble by going
into the ordeis sectioa by section; none of us
cotiid get what we want, or do what the taxpayers
want. 1 don't belirve the taxpayers want to cut
dowi rhe salaiy of any particulat officer, if the city
is to lose his -ervices; tney only v.aut to equalize
th^m. It will be remembered that earlv in the
year I ottered an order for ■•*. special committee, to
go into this matter and import what reduc-
tions coul 1 be made. Now, 1 believe if
we passed tne oroer establishing the salaries
until otherwise oidereo, and appoint a special
committee of the right kina of men t^ go through
all the department*, ascertain wnere reductions
can be made, lepoit them n the Govern-
ment and give gooj reasons therefoi, we can ac-
complish what the taxpayers want. I hope this
order as it came from the" Board ot Aklciuieo will
be uioptea tonight, with the understanding ihat
a special commutes of five or more — I don't caie
who serves on thw committee, but I want good
men — will be appointed to go into this thing thoi-
ough'y; aud where a depattm nt has eztra help,
get na of it, and reouce the expenses to ihe low-
est standard we can and retaiu the ability required
by the city.
'Mr. Jaques— I beaitily agiee with the gentleman
and take occasion to say so, as a member of tue
Salary Committee, lest it be toougnt that his
proposition might be looked upon as a leflection
upon the commi'tee. I don't, tinnk tue committee
so rega-rd it. The Salary Committee is chosen
ev°iy year, accordicg io custom, to do certain
work; but it was not contemplated, when that
committee was made up, th.t tne exceedingly
onerous duly of making .his long, p tient investi-
gation, teq tired to come to a conclusion as to
the proper mode of equalizing -alaues, should
oe performed by them. In the time at their
disposal, it was manifestly impossible to make
such au investigation, audi forone couldnot give
the time n^ces-ary to do it. But I take occasion
to repeat that ibis thing ought to be done, as it is
the only way to meet toe difficulty. The Salary
Committee of each year simply take the salary
bill of the pr-vious year, and. assuming that the
scale is relatively correct, they recommend a
change now aad then; but they ado ot the same
scale. That has gone on so long and the oatute of
the duties of each office has changed so
much, either by the inciea.se of labor in
some departments or decrease in ntheis.
and by the multiplication or decrease of
clerks ' in the various departments that
it has made a great inequality in the salaries, and
Dceos special investigation I hope the proposi-
tion of tne geutleman troin South Boston will be
adopted; that we shall concur with the iioard of
Aldermen aud let die salaries remain as thev aie
for the present, and let ao investigttion by a »uit-
ab e committee oegiu and continue long enough
to serine a report th»t vvill be of som" use. It has
been suggested as an objection to that course that
such a committee woald not bring in a report till
next y.-ar, when it will be of no use; but tn*t is
no argument, to my minu. We should assume that
next year there will be a committee who will
honestly c.o their duties. If we make this investi-
gate i they c n act moie intelligently in perform-
ing their duty. Theiefoie I hope *e shall concur
with the Aldermen.
Mr. Flynn— I merely rise to c jiigratulate my
friend from Ward 14 upon the very liberal view
he has taken upon this salary bill. We all recol-
lect ow he was congratulated 1 y his constituents,
a few weeks ago, f r the way in which be con-
ducted nimself. No person is more willing to
swallow down that oroei as it came from the Al-
dermen ttian I am, and it taere is no obj ction I
will withdraw the motion to take up the orders
seriatim.
Mr. day of Ward 24—1 came into this Council
with a verv decided impression that it was the de-
sire of the peonle that the expen e of carrying ou
the Government of Bosto should be reduced. I
had heard and oeiieved that every merchant had
reduced his expenses by reducing his pay rob ;
that ever v corpor *iou was reducing its expeuses
by reducing its pat roll. Th-se reductions were
made, as I undeistood and believed, upon the
solid giouiid that every salaried man could afford
to deduct something from his pay this year and
yet stand ldativeiy a« well, and be as wed paid,
consid-r.i.g the expense of living, a* be was paid
last year at a higher salary. I behev- that
to be the fact now. I believe tnat $90
is worth as much this yea»' as $100 was
last year; aDc. I see no leason why we should con-
tinue the salaries at the same rate, *hich is a
practical increase. In the war times we began to
increase salaries, and we have gone on Increasing
them from time to time. I am very certain that
the means of paying these salaries have decreased.
Speakiog for one individual, aad speaking for
one who has had some inteicourse witn the peo-
ple, I may say thar my experience settles the
question that the people of Boston, any more
than are our merchants or corporations, are
not able to pay the same rates for services that
they paid la-t year. We have a pay toll —
speaking in round number* — of upwt.iMs'of $2,-
000,000. Now, without knowing about the de-
tails, I don't, believe that one pa' tide of injusticb
will be done any man by reducing that pay roll
ten per cent— not to keep the $200,000 in the treas-
ury, but in the pockets of the taxpayeis. I ex-
pected to have the pleasure— for it, would be a
plca-ure to me— of reducing my own tax-s. I hap-
pen to be so unfortunate as to have some real es-
tate standing in my own name; and I am taxed
roundly for it. I am wiring to pay taxes, but I
should be glad to deduct something from the
amount I have heretofore paid. The men who ab-
sorb something of these $2,000,000, are your and my
employes, and I believe they wilt be satisfied with
a moderate reduction. I want to see this
Council come to what I understood to be the
direct spirit ot the year — to try to reduce salaries.
I concede to my friend on my right [Mr. Grayl
that he is desirous of accomplishing a reduction
of salaries; but I must say ttiat I see in Ins propo-
sition simply " hat I saw — I me?n no cisrespect to
the higher branch— in the vote cf the Board of
Aldermen, a mere project to escape action upon a
difficult question. No • , I was going to make a
proposition, uot with th& expectation, of getting tbe
assent of everybody ; because I did n't expect it.
There are salaiieshersin which toe committee rec-
ommend a reduction, which I might not consider
judicious; but as my friend behind aie fMr. Fiith]
suggested just now, it ive a>e all going to stand
bv our special wishes, we will uever reduce sala-
ries. We niu<t consider the general interest, and
I should like to see this Council adopt a vote to
accept the report of the committee. My fiiend
I Mr. Gray] says we can have a special committee
to look into this thing. Perhaps they will, anil
perhaps ibev will cot. We ventilate i fhat sub-
ject i-i this Council at the commencement of the
session in January, and indicated a desire that
nn
COMMON COUNCIL
the Co aomit tee on Balanes should Bee what
they could do in the line or reouctiotl,
and tlie.v have done it. I see uo reason
In the world why we sboald not !i-ttn to the ad-
vice ot the committee whom we specially appoint-
ed and instructed to advise us. Unless we can
show that their advice is'iot weii irrouDced, cour-
tesy to the committee and the Citv Coulcii, and
the interest ot good legislation, require tia' we
sheuii! stand by that committee It we a lopi thi.,
report, what will he the result? We will he at
issue with the Boat d of Aldermen . Che » propose
to elo nothing. We propose tj do something— or
at anv rate, to trv auU do something. Tiiat i>. th*
popular branch of the CI j Gove^nuaeot .vill trj
to do something. They, tindir.g that the Council
propose to do something, may > Biet. The
result will be, B 1 undetsttml th - mode
or legislation, to onag ahout a committee of
conference. Now, if we adopt this bill as the
committee have reported it, we will not commit
ourselves to anything hut the general principle of
reduction. By that vote— the Aldeunen having:
oone nothing— sve say the sentiment of this Coun-
cil is that there shal' he a reduction; and we say
to them, when they a*k tor a committee o! con-
ference, that we siiould he happy to met them.
Then we can go through this" bill and detei-
inme, so tar as ve can, whether there ate any
inequalities which should b? rectified, and we will
agree upon a general rate „t reduction. I cannot
think. Mr. Chairman, that theie oas been, in tne
history of 'be ongi 1 aua progress of these
salaries, *uch an inequality as to reuoer
any great in j astice to many iodividuats by mak-
ing a uniform reduction. I think it is a fair ure-
sumptio.i that the salaries were based upon what
were believed to be the merits of the case,, neie-
tofore; and the mle, therefote, of a general re-
daction will operate, in t'le main, in the right
way. My friend on my right [Mr. Morrison]
speaks of the City Architect. I have no douot he
is correct; and I have t.o doubt I should greatly
desire, it on the committee with him, to keep the
salary of that officer at its present rate; or if I
saw special reasons therefor, to increase it.
I don't propose to do anything to crip-
ple or disoarage the interest ot' the city;
on the contrary, 1 will do everything
in the world to secuie an efficient body
of employes, from the higae^t to th=< lowest. But
what I siiould be glad to see is a vote on the part
ot the Council which indicates that thej mean to
try to bring ahout a reduction. IthioK if we ac-
cept the report of the committee rhe result will be
that by and by, in a committee of conference,
this whole matter can be reviewed, and we shall
be able this year to repoit to our constituents,
without doing aav ereat injustice to aovbody,
a reduction of from one to two hundred thousand
dollars; and for my part, I mean to vote for that.
Mr. Howes — I am very sorry the suggestion of
the gentleman from Ward 14 [Mr. Gray] should
have b^en adopted so soon by my colleague [Mi.
Jaques]. That would take away any power to
equalize salaries hr reatter, which can be easily-
done in the orders repoited by the committee, for
it is only necessary to say they are established
"until otueiwise ordered." In that way we snail
effect a reduction, *nd at the same time he in a
position to equalize differences herealter. Every
one must admit, I think, that theie are dif-
ferences. They are not in the salaries of
heads of departments, but in thos- of sub-
ordinates. For iustance, a bookkeeper re-
ceives $2500 or $3000 in one department, while
those in otner departments receive but $1800.
Now, sir, in the very limited time allowed them,
the committee were unable to decide definitely
whether one of those bookktpers was worth dou-
ble what the other was. In some cases u appeared
that one was not; but the committee were not well
enough informed to change the salary materially.
If the orders pass as reported, a reduction will
take place in the larger salaries; and then the
Salary or any other committee cat take this mat-
ter of inequalities into consideration. The clerks
can he classified, as is done at the Custom House,
and as was prooosed by some members ot the com-
mittee. I know that civil-service reform has fallsn
into disgrace ; but it is rather the piacrice, than
the idea itself. I think that clerks of the first,
second antt thud classes could b° established,
paying each class a certain amount of money, and
each department could be allowed a certain num-
ber of clerks of each class. As it is now, the head
of any department can go to nis committee and
suggest mat the salary ot a subordinate be in-
creased, and it be i-. popular perhaps it wi'l be
don-. Another head ot a department not bo
popular would aot be so successful, ami the
salaries in his department would range qui'e
low, which is unfair. Toe uiatcer can easily
be 'u ranged. By adopting the ainei'dmeot
w. shall affect economy without doing injoBtace
to any perso'i wnose pay is reauced, particular))
if the reduction is to be but temporary, and rhe
Council is to go ih ough the salanes some months
later. It, in going thtough the departments, it i-
found that the City Aichitect's s, i a iv is too low.
it can be laised. The reductio . will be only tor
two or three months at least. By doing this we
shall be following out the demands of ids ti
and meet th^ wants of the taxpayers at the pres-
ent day.
Mr. Jaques— 1 only rise to relieve my colleague
ot anv embariysstneiit in legardto my ctilliogLees
to adopt the order of the Boatd of Aldermen. In
signing the report and from mv remark: here I
think it has been sufficiently plain that I favored
the iep»rt, though it may "contain some eriors.
As the gentleman said, it "is nearer righ'. because
it eff'Cts some reduction. But I gather t om the
debates that the question is whetheiwe shili
adopt the ord?r from the Aldermen, or take up
the bill section bv section. I uepre ate the last
course as being mischievous, and in preference
to it I would vo'e to concur with the
Ahlermea. If we can adopt the report ana then
appoint ao investigating committee. I should
much pi efer that, as 1 believe the bill to be the
only hmiest course to cam out what this Council
proposed when they came together — auu that is.
to effect so'ne econornv.
Mr. Fierce of Ward 24—1 do uot like the icea of
turning this matter over to another y-ar. A« 1
understand, it is now prooo-ed to concur with
the Board of Aldermen -and tuen nav-. another
committee appointed, wno will report prob-
ably not before the latter pan of the year
in relation to tois matter ot snlarier. I tbiuk
we want to effect >. reduction row. 1 believe
the gr at mass ot the citizens expect, ami have a
right to expect, such a reduction. The commit-
tee's proposition effects a reouctiou of moie than
$209,000. In the Board of Aldermen the report ap-
oears to have been defeated because the ieriuc-
tion did not begin with the first name on the
list, wher< some members thought it ought to
begir. It seems to me that that is a great mistake.
For one, 1 should be glao to see the repo t adopt-
ed as it came troiu the committee. I brlieve it is
the best thing we cau do under the circumstances;
but if that cannot be done, let us save $150,000: or
if not $150,000, let os save $100,000. Let us
begin somewhere and mase tlis reduction. As
has been well said, our pay roll must be somethtag
like $2,000,000. 1 venture to say there is no corpor-
ation within the limits of Massachusetts — or I
might .-.av within the limits of the United States—
having a pay roll of a quartet ot that amount,
which has not within the last three years reduced
its pav roll ten pet ce it. at least once, and in many
cases more than o se. 1 do not believ- any gen-
tleman hers, who is a stockhold r, has tuought
that to be a wrong more; but I believe he
would heartily approve of such a reduction. I
beheve «e should co ■ duct the . usiness of tne city
the same i s we would a corporation ot 'vtiich we are
directors. Attnough I believ.- there ate some gen-
tlemen in the pay of the city who probably earn
eveiy dollar they receive, I do not believe that
for the Sake of those few gentlemen we should
decline to make any i eduction io the general sali-
nes; and I tlo nor believe there is a sufficient num-
ber of them to make their services, even if we
lose them by the reduction, worth the $200,000
wuich we could save oy the passage of tr.is jiii,
I houe there will uot be another yeai when the
burdens of taxation will be felt as nardly
as they will be m this year, 1876. Therofore,
I hope we snail not postpone this reduction for
another year, but shall take such action as will
say to all our constituent that when they elected
us on an economical basis, they chose men willing
and anxious to make a reduction, to begin here
and save from $150,000 to $200,000. 1 h >pe this re-
poit will be adopted. I believe with my colleague
[Mr. May], that the effect will be to have a com-
mitter of conference, who will propose some mod-
ifications in this bill, but which will, in the main,
effect a large reduction.
Mr. Gragg ot Ward 22—1 believe that any action
lookiog towards the adoptiou of the order passed
by the'Board of Aldermen is simply a move to de-
feat and do away with any possible reduction of
FEBRUARY 2 4:
1
7 fi
108
salaries during the present year, 'Ihe question,
as it seems to me, is n't whether ws SDail reduce
saUrifS for six months, investigation or no in-
vestigation, bui the question is, do tie times de-
mand a reduction of salaries now? The future
can take care of itself. If the times continue to
be deptessed, salaries certainly ought to continue
to be reduced: if salaii°s are reduced aDd rimes
grow better, we can afford to increase salaries
again. I beiibve that the times justify and the public
exneet a reouctio-' of salaries no*. Inequalities
in salaries existed last year and the year betore.
I btlieve we should me^t this question of reduc-
tion on its ojeriis alone; and turn after a reduc-
tion is made, and after deciding not to make one,
either «*av, a committee might be appoin ed to
look int j the matter of equalization. It is a mat-
ter requiring sr.-ac time ana labor to look into the
department.-, and go into the subject a thorough-
ly as ought to be done to arrive at a sat-
isfactoiy conclusion. But in case >aianes
are leduced or not reduced, a special committbe
might be appointed for each department, to in-
vestigate the subject, and each department could
be reported on iii a moi th, instead of waiting
four or five months fo. a report from one com-
mittee.
Now I believe the better way to solve this matter
would be to take some action like the following. I
merely make the suggestion— that we should adopt
the report of me committee with this alteration.
That we should amend the various headings of
the different orders so that they should redd some-
thing like this:
"Thar the salanes otjthe following officers shall
be as herein mentioned, to oe paid moodily from
April 1,1876 (except his H >nor the Mayor), until
oi Uerwise ordered, subject to a dedurtiou of any
and all sums due from said officers to the ci v."
In this way we should reduce the salaries, but
we should not redoce them for the whole year.
Then we can appoint a committee to mvesuigate
the subject, and if we have done any injustice it
can be remedied. But I believe that no,v is the
time to luafee su reduction, if any is to oe made.
Mr. Devereux of Ward 4— With tne con-
dition of things as thev aie at present,
and with the utter prostration of industrial
interests, I think public sentiment is decidedly io
favor of a reduction of salaries. Neveitheless,
how to do it. and now to do it equitably and justly,
is a question ot considerable difficult v. While I
would i ot disturb any officer who is faithful, effi-
cient and capable, I think there are some of the
officers thai could be safely reduced. But tne fact
of a reduction ot ten percent., although apparently
harmonious, bears with great hardship upon those
who have small salaries. For instance, p reduction
or $100 fro ri the salary ot the First Assistant
Messenger and a reduction of $100 from the salary
of the Seeood Assistant Messenger, the one re-
ceiving $800 and the o-uer $600, would seem to be a
giGat hardship; but tnere ate many other salaries
that could dp safely reduced. I liadtbe honor to say
last year, ac the time the License Commission was
established, that I could Una many meu who
would be willing to accept the office- for $2000
per year, and I moved that trat sum "oe
substituted for $2500. Neveitheless, it wa« cur-
ried ovev the heads of those who were in favor of
$2500, and the salary was fixed at $3500. I believe
the salaries of these three officers can be reduced,
and reduced considerably. But I think it would
be necessary, to get an equitable adjustment of
this rather difficult question, tint it shoiiid be
placed iu the hands of a special committee, who
should report as eaily as possible.
Mr. Howes of Ward 18 — I have just one- word to
say, and that is with reference to the salary of the
Fuse Hssistant Messenger. I think it was the in-
tention o f the committee — at least it was my in-
tention—to move to amend the order ia
reference to that particular officer on account
of this reason: the Assistant Messenger, and
possibly the Second Assistant Messenger, are
employed by the School Boar.i as well as
by the Common Council and by the Board
of Alderman, and they receive a certain
amount of pav for duties performed for the
School Board. I understar d that the pay of the
Assistant Messenger huS been cut down b / the
School Board. Now if che Council wsie also to
cut it down, it would seem to be a very great
hardship, and for that reason it was, I think, the
iotencion of the committee to report to allow his
salary to remain as it is, ptovided there is anv
likelihood that the order would be accepted. I
should like to offer this as an amendment to the
orde.-; that is. I would ame&d the order upon che
33d page as follows :
"On'ered,That the salaries of the following-nam-
ed officers, fiom the 1st or April, 1876 (with the ex-
ception of his Honoi the M^yor), shall be as here-
in mentioned until otherwise ordered, 'o be paid
monthly, subject to a deduction of at y and all
sums due from said officers to toe city."
The same amendment would apply to all rtio
heaus ot departments.
Mr. Adams o f Ward5 — I do not see the necessi-
ty of passing this amendment. If we pass these
orders as they have been i ecomraendeo to us by
the committee, the matter will go to the Aldermen
and ihey wid not concur 7/ith us, as tuey
have already fully investigated the subject
and expressed their minus. The result will
be that a committee of corference will be
called for and thar committee will look
over Hr matter and brine to our notice a teport
which will embody this idea aDd the ideas of
others as 'hty have tieen expressed uere, so far as
they meet with the committee's approval. Ir seems
to me it would be far better to aoopt the report as
it is presented, and then this vill bring the mat-
ter before them, and the com mitt* e will thjs b Q
constituted quicker than in any other way.
Although I might vote tor these oideis.
there are manv teems uere tbac I do not
agree with. One matter was brought to cur at-
tention tuis we ; k by the Committee on Public
Institutions, where the directors expressed the
hope that ibs salary of the Superintended of cIih
Lunatic Hospital would toe be i educed $250 as
proposed. This officer has a salary of ¥2500, and I
am informed tnat had he three or tour y ais ago
adopte I the course of a great manv other physi-
cians a .d entered upon a practice of his
own in the city he coul i probably have
been engaged in a business vorth from $io,0t)0 to
$15,000 per annum. There are o'her items hete to
winch my a'temion has be.-u called ; and I thin 1 *
the quich est way for us to get at this would be to
adopt f e oideis. and th c n w Q ca-j havfl a special
committee appointed very quickly to consider tne
matter.
Mr. Howes of Ward 18—1 would like to state
that such a thing has been known as for the Boaid
of Aidei men to pass orders they have once lejecc-
et when tneyhave come down to them again from
the Council :' and there have been cases known in
which couimitt.-es of conference wera not ap-
pointed. I had «upposed ic was the usual course
for us to arrange our matters somewhat as we
wish rhem and then «end them up for approvil.
As to the Suoeiiotendent ot the Lunatic Hospital,
the Council ha« noching to Co with his salary ex-
cept in the general appropriations thev make %
for the Board of Public Institutions, Th- Hoard
of Public Institutions fix bis salary. We merely
fix the lump sum they are to have for such pur-
poses. So then any action of ours would h<» idly
affect him one *av or the other.
Mr. Adams ot Ward 5 — r would like to call at-
tention to section 28, page 4 ;
"The salary of the Superintendent of the Bos-
ton Lunatic Hospital shall ce at the tate of $2250
per ni-jiim." I think that refers to him.
Mi.Jaques of Ward 11 — I should like also to
call further attention to the same section. If the
members of the Council v\ i 1 1 read on from where
the gentleman left off, they will find the follow-
ing:
"And he shall be allowed sufficient house room,
free of rent, and board for himself and family."
Noiv that is a very important thing in these days.
If a man can nave house rent for himself and
family, ami $2250 per year, there are many physi-
cians of considerable eminence who would think
it was prett.v good pay. The house lent is cer-
tainly au important addition.
Mr". Adams of Ward 5 — i would rather board
somewhere else than in a lunatic hospital, and if 1
had -. family I would rather they should be some-
where else than there.
Mr. Sweetser of Ward 17—1 would like to inquire
wheth-r, if we should nass this order as it corner
down from tne Board of Aldermen, it jvouid aot
be in order, when the appropriation bill comes up
to the latter part of March, if there are salanes in
this order which are considered altogether too
high, as some have been mentioned — whether ic
would not be competent for the council to i educe
them. In tais eise it seems to me it
would be much better for us to pa;s the
order as ir comes to us from th* Board of Alder-
man, and then a committee, if it were appointed,
could report between now and then what officers
KM)
COMMON COINCIL
*e» overpaid and what officeis were uniicrpai '.
and the Council coald act judiciously and intelli-
gently upon ; h matter. I ask roi iai notation.
The Pr°8iaent— The Chair i- of the i npression
it would lie competent, this order simoiy e> - rab-
lishing the salaries until otherwise oidered.
Mr. Guild of Warn \>— I have listened to this
debate with some degiee of i terest. it appears
tiiat i be Council r» cognizes the necessity for re-
trenchment! au i a committee has been appointed
to see what « ou'd be the best manner to acijuire
it. Hut in the absence of all the information they
defired. they b ive applied a soi'i of cast-lroa rule
of ten per cent, to every officer, from toe
next below the Meyoi to me humblest po-
liceman or official in the Citv Governm-m, 01 the
smallest paid one. Xow, sir, in this bill as reported
hy the committee, it Is just and fair to say that
there are certain inequalities and that ir may re-
quire some modifications. But 1 am inclined to
thi.ik.ro get at oice to the point, that the best
wav for us is, so to speak, to swallow the bill as it
has co xe from the Boaid of Aldei men; because
it then leaves us to confer these matters of in-
equality and injustice, as ha. been suggested by
the gentle nan vim last took his seat. There are cer-
tains gennem n tn the Citv Government who have
served us long and faithfully, who have grown up
in City Hall, • bo.n w respect and honor a- pil-
I is, -o to speak, of the city, and we would not
lose them. If we tound they were going to leav<H
City Hall, we should actually ii create tbeir sala-
ries by so.ue hundieds of collars rather tbau have
them leave us. I'nere aie oihers that have be°n
mentioned by toe gentle nan from tt>^ Bun-
ker Hill District, whose salanes could be
safely reduced, aim tealy 1 do nut think
the majority ofthe Council »»ould oppose that re-
ductio . but would be very well satistieu if it were
made. Therefore, as an indivioml member ofthe
Council, ic i» certainly my opinion chat we should
concur with the Board of Aldermen in ihp pas-
sage of this bill. Then when the bill for appro-
priation con es r.p. as it <*ill in a verv shoittime,
we can apply the rule for the induction of sala-
ries where we thii k it necessary.
Mr. Pierce of Ward 24 — It nas been said, sir,
that if «e acceot the order as passed by the
Board of Aldermen, when the api>ropiiatidn bill
come? up, w» can reduce sucn salaries as we see fit.
If that is the case, and I presume it is, there is no
doubt that if we accept the report of the commit-
tee, then when the bill comes up we can increase
such salaries as we see fir. Now it seems to me
that the reduction ^houlo be general. There-
fore let us make a general reduction, and the
exceptional cases can be increased wheu it comes
to making appropriations, and rot adopt a geceral
bill leaving i lie salaries where they are now. If
we do that, I bebeve wuru tbe appropriation bill
comes up we shall have a reduction of nine-tenths
of the salaries. Let us make a geneial i eduction
ano then increase them if we want to.
Mr. Grngg of Ward 22 -I he rtily concur with the
views of tne gentleman tiom Ward 24. The Board of
Aldermen 1 ave seen fit to pass an o tier to let the
salaries reinaiu where they are for the present,
and I aai surprised at some members «• ho can e in
here at the commencement of tbe year with high-
toned ideas of economy, cmri all tha' sort ot thing,
taking the came course. The question is whether
we shall or shall not r-uuee. 1 say we shouk re-
duce toe salaries, and then if we find that we
have maae a few mistakes we can increase.
1 know there aie officials in City Hall who
are worth rnoie than we have paid them
oi mme than they will ever be paid. I know gen-
tlemen who are worth three or four times moie
than they get. I kuow other men whom I do nor be-
lieve we should lose for a temporary reduction—
because I relieve it is to be temporary — because
if they should refuse $ 3000 sala i y they might make
it on theoth-r side of the slat'e, however «ortny
or capable they may be. I believe iu settling the
question upon it- merits.
Mr. Speuceiey of Ward 19—1 agree with the uen-
tlenoan who last spoke, and I believe that the
question that ccmes before us row is whether we
will reduce these salaries or not. It is a question
that I settled in my own mind along time ago,
and I thought it was necessary to do it. I think
we came here a ed made n oath to do the city's
business just as we c.o our o*r>, and I would like
to asK any gentleman heie, who has employes, if
be has not reduced their pay.
Mr. Guild of Ward 9—1 have not.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19— W ? ell I am veiy glad
ot it. I juess the gentlemen's business must be
better than that ol rhe (est ol us. Now, sir, I look
upon : he vu jject just as I om years ago when the
salaries o r these men were ra.swi from viooo to
BO. 1 did not have the ho or to vot;- upon it,
but the gent'eoian cm. The ijuesti to was brought
in ano discussed as it nas been tonight, and I
ktiuw that according io my recoiled >n the reasons
lor tilt Increase with five cut ol six A^re taai
bouses, lano, groceries and other thngs ti»o in-
created in price. A gentleman in the other
branch got up and ncicu'ed the idea that we
should brine tbe price ofpoik into this discus-
sion. But I say, sir, that it is no mare tnan righl
that we shoulo sav to these men. We furnish your
house, land and necessaries of life cheap-
er, ai.d therefore you must work cheap-
er. A gentleman recently .am to ine, "I
can live 11600 cheaper Don than I could
before, and have just a.s good things in my house
as I had • wo veais ago. So here we .ie placed i <
this position, and 1 think we should look tbe mat-
ter fairly in tue face. I casually took do^n the
doings o* the Common Council of i^st year, aim I
tead wbeie yoa peihaps kindly votwl to give the
poor laboring man a dollar a daj ; but I did
not read that =,ny one off-red an amend-
ment to pake it a quarter of a dollar ttore.
And vet uhen you come to touch salaries
of $4000 or £5000 you thick it is a difficult thing
to reducr them. It is said that we shall lose
some of th j se men. I say, no. I sav tnere aie
thousands ot business men in this ci'v tt>at have
not re-lizeo $3000 per year out of their cuisi-
nes , and they have worked early aud late,
plenty of them. I te'l you there are plenty
of nieu that could ptiforai the service of
th«se officeis if they should lesign — none of
the.ii will resign — and it would be just
as well for us and for tbe city. I
think we cave some excellent heais of depart-
ments. I agiee that the gentlemen are all splen-
di i men, as tar as I kuow them. Perhaps, as the
gentleman from Ward 11 saws, some of them need
to have their alaries incr<ased. I hear a great
ileal said about the inequality of salaries. The
question is, how aid it come to be so. I kn<>.* of
no other reason than tha' some officeis have had
more friends in the Coi ucii than others
have had. 1 ti ink if that is so, we ought
to have a committee to inquire into it; out
it seems to me that it would be an arduous ias&
for a commitiee to inquire into all these tacts,
and it cannot be performed f ir ma..y months to
come. It does seem to me that we aie ready to-
night t • take this question up and discuss it. I
don't know ot any better vaythau to take it up
item by item, and it seems "to me to be tbe only
wav to dispose of it. Ikuo* that gentlemen in
City Hall have been paid $3000 and $4000,
who never earned $1500; and the ieasoo
wa c not because they wete the men for the place,
but simply beciuse they had political i ifluence
by which they could secure positions. 7 know it
to be a fact. Now I sav if it is a matter ot dollars
and cents, let us look at it in that way ; if it is not,
■er us Ijok at it in another wav. So I hope, Mr.
Piesidenc, we shall take this question up tonight.
I do not believe in making another committee.
1 think the dinuiittee has go.ie over it all. I
think they have done their duty efficiently ■•>nri
well, and all that remains tor us is to take it as
coming fioni them aod pass it to our own satis-
faction.
Mr. Howes of Ward 18—1 do not like to keep
talking all the time, but I trust g-ntlemeu will not
adop' the very specious plan of .vaiti"g uu'il the
appropriation bill comes in. That comes in at the
las> ot ihefiscal year, wheu it is aasolutelv necessa-
ry to g-t it thiough in orcer to meet cbe expenees
of the n-commg year. It has usually been
the practice io put the entne appropria-
tion bill through iu one evecing. I ask auv
gentleman if he supposes that besides considering
all tbe other items he is goiug to give the salaries
of ail these various city officeis any u ore or bet-
ter care than he can tonight. It is utterly pre-
posterous to suppose so. Oue other point. I
should like to kuow of the geDtlemao tioaa Ward
9 if he pays his pi inters the same puce that he
diu bet me the rates were reduced o ■ account of a
combinauon to reouce the price of composition so
much per thousand em .. I think most of the pa-
peis now pay the reduced price.
Mr. Guild of Ward 9 — It the gentleman r.-fers to
me, although I think it is 'atber an impertinent
question to ask a man about his private business
in the City Council, I have no hesitation in saying
that the wages of my compositors have nor been
FEBRUARY 2,4,, 1H76
110
reduced for four year;, and I have not reduced
tl.e wages of a single man in my employ for the
last three years. When I fine' my expenses too
high, it the gentlernar. wishes a diagnosis of my
case, I reduce the cumber of my employes, or if
I find one who does not perform his work satisfac-
torily tor the pay he receive* I discharge him.
Mr. Train of w ard 20— Mr. Preside* t, after lis-
tening to the various arguments, ir seems to me
that the course ad»;sed by the gentiemHo from
Ward 24 [Mr. May], is i lie ODe which suits my
book. Certainly if we accept 1 he report of the
committee, we r'aVe one stao forward, and if the
Board of Alderrnm concur, it is in the power of
the Council under the wording of the ordei as
amended, to increase or decrease the pay or salary
of anyone i i the city employ. This will euablt us
to remove any inequalities that may exist ir the
repoit, but the chances are tnat the Aldermen
will ask tor a co lerence of the two branches,
and in that case aoyihiug wrong or seem-
ingly unjust can he changed. I think
thiit is the best wav ■ e can get at U. ft is getting
late. We have had al' the light that we waot on
this question, ana I move tne previous question.
The previous question was ordered.
Mr. Gray of Ward 14 asked that when the main
question was taken it c hould be taken by yeas and
nays.
The amendment to the proposed substitute,
offered bv Mr. Howes of Ward 18, was adouted— 38
toll.
The question then came upon the substitute as
amended, and it was deciaied lost. Mr. Howes of
Ward 18 called for the yeas ana n-ys, ,r.d the
amended substitute was adopted— 44 to 19, as fol-
lows;
Yeas— Messrs. Adam*, Barr, Beecfurg, Blan-
chard, Burgess, Burke, Gushing, Davis, Day, Deve-
reux, J. Dohercy, Felt, Firth, Gragg,Grafram,Gray,
Howes, Jaques, Jones, Kelley, Kingsbury, May,
Morrdl, Mullen, Newton, O'Dbmiell.^Peari, J. H.
Pierce, B. Pope, R. Pope, Robbins, Ruffin, Shaw,
Sbay, Suepard, Smarcon, Spenceley, Stone, A.. H.
Taylor, Train, Trull, Tiutle, Walbridge, Webster
— 44.
Nays— Messrs. Blortgett. Clarke, Crocker, D.
Doherty, Flynn, Fraser, Guild, Hall, Ham, Morri-
son, Osborne, Peabody, Rice, Sampson, Sprague,
Sweetser, W. Taylor, Ticknor, Willcutt— 19.
Assent or not voting— Messrs. Curtis, Fitzpat-
rick, Danpen, Loring, Parker, O. H. Pierce, Sibley,
Woodbury— 8.
Mr. Flyhn of Ward 13— Will it be in order to
amend any section of this older?
The President— The Chair decides that it is not
in order at this time, the whole order having been
substituted for the other.
Mr. Flynn of Ward 13— Then 1 would move to
lay it on the table. I tbink members co not ex-
actly under*tiod what tbty have done. If this
aoe^ to the Boarcr of Aldermen and they concur in
it, the salary of every city officer is reduced 10 per-
cent. I move to lav it on f'e table.
Mr. Grav ot Wa-d 14 raised the point of order
that the previous qiustion having beeo ordered, a
motion to lay on the table w r as not io order
The Chair decined that the point was well takeu.
The substitute order wa» then oroered to a sec-
ond reading by a vote of 39 yi as to 24 nays, as fol-
lows:
Yeas— Messrs. Adan.s, Barr, Beechiug, Blau-
chard, Burgef-s, Burke, Cushing,Davis, Day, J. Do-
heity, Felt, Firth, Gragg, Graham, Gray. Ham,
Howes, Jaques, Jones, Kelley, May, Morrill,
Pearl, J. H. Pierce, B. Pope, R. Pope, Robbins,
RufHu, Shaw, Shay, Sheoara, Speuceley, Stone,
Taylor, Traiu, Trull, Turtle, Walbridge, Webster
—39.
Nays— Messrs. Biodgett. Clarke, Ciocker, Deve-
reux,D. Doherty,Flyon, Fraser, Guild,Hall,Kings-
bury, Monisou, Mullen, Newton, O'Donneil, Os-
borne, Peabody, Rice, Sampson, Smardou,
Spiague, Sweetser, Taylor, Ticknor, Willcutt— 24.
Absent or not voting— Curtis, Fitzpatrick, Lap-
pen, Loring, Parker, O H. Pierre, Sibley, Wood-
bury — 8.
Mr. Howes of Ward 18—1 move that the several
orders take their second reading by then titles.
Mr. Flynn of Ward i3— I hope that motion will
not prevail. I pronose to offer amendments to
this bill. If it is read by its title I caunot do it.
The Chair ruled that the ord?r could not be
amended because it had beeu adopted as a sub-
stitute.
The order was read a second time and the ques-
tion cime upon its passage.
Mr. Fiynn of Ward 13 moved to amend the sec-
end section by making the salaiy of the Mayor's
Clerk $1800 per annum, as it was Ust year, instead
of $1600.
The Chair decided that the amendment was out
of order, bat that the whole tubiect was open to
debate.
Mr. Flynn of Ward 13 moved to lay trte matter
on tlr* table.
Mr. Morrison of Ward 11— I hope the motion
will not prevail. I hope we shall pass it tonight,
for I am very sure that ther<- is no Ganger of its
going through the Board of Aldermen in its pres-
ent shape.
Mr. Mav of Ward 24—1 agree with the gentle-
man last up in hoping that the order will not be
laid upon the table. I know not what action may-
be taken bv the Board of Aldermen, but
it seems to me we have r.dvanced one stage
towards the completion of tbis duty in ihe effort
to reduce salaries. If we pass this oroer this
evening we shall be in a position to raise an i*sue
with the Bo-ri of Aldeimen, and the committee
oa behalf of this body «ill be able to say that it is
instructed thai it is the drsiie ot th- j Council that
theie should be a reduction. I hope we soali hold
che ground we have trained, and take another step
in advanct, so that we may niesently be io a posi-
tion to accomplish something.
Mr. Taylor ot Ward 6—1 hope the motion to lay
on the t.ble will prevail tor this reason: Some ot
us have voted upoo this question, not knowing that
if it is passed by the Board of Aldermen it will
cut down the r-alaiies of the fiiemen and -oolice-
men. I think if this order lies upon the table, and
we consider the matter carefully between now
and the next meeting, rerhaps we may be able to
vote more intelligently upon it than we can to-
night. I tbir.k some membeis have made a mis-
take in the commencement in votiae- upon the
substitute offered. I do not think it will do any
harm to have the matter lie upon the table, and I
therefore hope the motion will prevail.
Mr. Jaques of Ward 11— I should not do mv
duty if I did not point out the error of my friend,
when he s<;ys that it this order is concuried in it
will affect the salaries of the firemen. It is not so
proposed.
Mr. Gray of Ward 14—1 hope the motion to lay
on the table will not prevail. If the members of
the Conn cil have voted under a misapprehension
of the effect ot the order, they have certainly an
opnortunitv to correct themselves.
Mr. Ruffin of Ward 9— As the order stands now
I am not entirely in favor of rt. There are many
things I should like to alter, as I maicated a few
moments ago in a proposed amendment. But I
shall not rote to lay tbis matter upon the table.
Its detects can be remedied heieafttr. I think we
shall do our duty if we see to it that tbis bill as it
now staods pa»s'-s here tonight. As ha* been said,
we have made one step in the right direction.
There may come a time when we shall have an
opportunity of debatmg it and making some
alterations, and I give notice that wh-n that op-
portunity oresents itself I shall renew the amend-
ment, which 1 suggested a litt'e while aa-<\ to in-
ciease the salary of the police from what is pro-
posed in this order. But I shall vote for it as it
stands now, and I hope the motion to lay upon the
table vvtll not prevail.
Mr. Taylor of Ward 6— The gentleman may be
mistaken in ids chance to ameid the order. The
board of Aldeimen may concur, as they have in
other matters; therefore it may not be safe io
pa«s it as it now si anas.
Mr. Adams of Ward 5— If in order I would
move the previous question.
Mr. Pierce of Ward 24— For information I
would like to inquire whether, if we now defeat
the motion to lay on the lable, a member at a fu-
ture meeting can offer an order to make the pay
of the police .$ 3 oei day or S5 per day.
The President— In the opinion of the Chair th«
gentleman is correct.
Mr. Pierce of Ward 24— Then I think we may be
perfectly safe in oassirg the order as it stands,
and then passing such orders for the pay of offi-
cers a? ve see fit.
Mr. Morrison of Ward 11— My objection to the
passage of this order as it stands is that if the
Alderman concur we shall have reduced the sal-
aries of sotni officers whose pay is too low now;
ar d it is a question how soon we can remedy the
injustice that will be done. I anticipate the sal-
aries as they are fixed now will stand for one
year. There is no getting over it. It has
never be^n otherwise. I can state one thing:
Neail.v eveiybody who has spoken tonight sup-
Ill
COMMON COUNCI L
poses that the citizens "I the city calculate
that we are going to make this reduction —
chat we arc going in for economy. Very
well, so we are. Hut 1 chink this is not the way to
hit it. [ know there ate men lii tins cicy who, if
then salaries arc cut dmvi>, aie going to have
overtures from me 3 outside wao will pay them
.v.'iuo to s5oi) : j ryear mote man we are paying;
tbem. I hiivi thit as a fact, I know it.
Mi. Taylor ol Ward 6—1 also know men who are
receiving S4000 ,>er year here, and the city
would lose none of their services if they
should receive hut $2000. 1 propose 10 offset the
one class against the other.
The tiojr for the discussion of tne motion to lay
on the tabl* haviug expired, the previous ques-
rion was ordeied. Tee motion to lay on the t^ble
was lost— 19 to 39.
The order was thou pas ed by a yea and nay
vote of 37 to 25, a* follow ■ :
Yeas— Messrs. Adams, Han, Beeehing, Blan-
cbard, Burgess, Burke, Cushing, Davis, Felt,
Knth, Gragg, Graham, Cray, Ham, Howes,
.laques, .lone?, Kellev, May. Morrill, Pearl, J. H.
Pierce, B. Pope, R. Pope, Robbins, Ruffin, Sbaw,
Shav, Saepard, Spencelev, .Stone, A.. H. Taylo'-,
Train, Trull, Tattle, Walbndge, Webster— 37.
Nays— Messrs. Blodgett, Clarke, Crocker,
Devereux, D. Doherty, J. Doherty, Flynu, Fraser,
Guild, Hail. Kingsbury, Morrison, Mullen, New-
ion, O'Dnnnell.Osboinrf, Peabody, Rice, Sampson,
Stnai'don, Sprague, Sweetser, W. Tayloi, Ticknor,
Willcatt— 25.
Absent or not voting— Messrs. Curtis, D*y, Fitz-
patrick, Lappen, Lonog, Paikei, O. H. Parker,
Sibley, Woodbnrv— 9.
DIVISION OF WARD TWENTY- TWO.
On motion of Mr. Gragg of Ward 22, the special
assignment lor 8y 2 o'clock was tak°n up, viz. —
"Order fartte Mayor to petition the General
Court for the passage of an act for the division of
Ward 22 iuto two wards, with authoiity to elect
two Councilman from each ward."
Mr. Feabody of Ward 11 thought it deserved in-
vestigation, and moved its reference to the Com-
mittee on Legislative Matters.
Mi. Gragg— I really don't like to ask the Count
eil to go into a lengthy discussion of this matter
tonight. The order lay on the table <» week tba-
membe'S might cousiaer it. The peculiar cir-
cumst*nces under which the ward was forced are
a matter of common notoriety. This order does
n't. carry the division into effect: we simply want
to have a chance to discuss the matter before the
Legislature, and if ic is not satisfactory to the
other wards it can be rejected. There is not a
man, woman or child in the waid but will favor a
change.
Mr. Morrison of Ward 11— What is the latest day
s,t which new business can be received by the
Legislature?
Mr. Shaw of Ward 12— in the oidinary course of
events the order »vil1 go to the committee, as they
will have to see to it, and I don't see any neces-
sity for a reference; the time for receiving new
business has already expired.
Mr. Clarke of Ward 22— This matter came before
the Judiciary Committee of the Legislature, who
desire an expression from the Council whether
Brighton should have two members of the Coun-
cil, or whether there should be one from each part
of the ward and one elected alternately. If there
is objection to either I would like to have mem-
bers say sc. I think the Judiciary Committee are
satisfied there should be a division. Tne
eastern section has over 1600 voters — a
little over 100 more than the average in the
Charlestown wards. The Brighton section has
over 1400 voters, a little less than the average.
When Brighton was annexed if had two members
of the Council, and it is thought to be fair to give
it the same representation as then. There are
several petitions for the change, signed by leading
citizens of both sections. Mr. Clarke read the
comments of the Committee on Division of Wards
on 1 he realms for the iiregular formation of
Waul 22, and said— There is a great objection to
having two polling places in Ware' 22, as they
would each require a full Bel of ward machinery,
and will lot relieve the ward of tie dif-
ficu.ties under .vhich they labor now. We all
know that at the caucuses the business of the
ward is dooe, a.d we meiely go to elections to
vote. Parties; in the Koxbury portion of the ward
have to spend a great oeal of :;ioney now to get
voters together ; unless they <lo, the aeonle are
obliged to come into Boston a< d take aoother
railroad to Brighton, and return the same way.
This proposition will relieve the ward of the diffi-
culties under which they labor.
Mr. Sampson of Waid 17 asked if a quotum was
present.
A count bv the City Messenger showed thirty-
eight present.
The order was rererted to the Committee on
Legislative Matters.
Subsequently, on motion of Mr. Rice, the neti-
tions of Blose- Uiy and Jacob Edwards and oth-
ers, that Ward 22 be made u\o wards to be repre-
sented by two members from each ward, were
taken tron. t-e fable and tef erred to the same
committee.
SQUARE ON COMMONWEALTH AVENUE.
On motion of Mr. Morruon of Ward 11, the
Council took up the special assignment for 9%
o'clock P. M., viz. :
Oruer to transfer $5000 from the Reserved Fund,
to be a special appropriation for grading and
curbing tne square on Commonwealth avenue
betwesn Fairfieid and Gloucester streets.
Mr. Jaques of Ward 11 moved to recommit to
the Fina.ice Committee, as i'i»as proposed to
aniena the order so that the squares could be ex-
tended to West Chester park, in order to meet the
objections of ceitain members.
Mr. Morrison understood this sum had b j en put
in the tax levy iast year and been spent for an-
other purpose, and tnat this money is to be trans-
ferred from ths Reserved Fund.
Mr. Guild said 'he Finance Committee would
proviie an amendment to carry out that idea.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19 said his only objection
was that the partial extension would do no good;
if the street is built to West Chester park some
benefit may be derived from it.
the order was recommitted. Sent up.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
By Mr. Guild of Ward 9— Petition of Kobert
Paget for leave to place boats on the Public Gar-
den pond. Referred to Joint Committee on Com-
mon. Sent up.
By Mr. Gray of Ward 14— Petition of Joanna
Flyun to be paid for personal injuries. Referred
to Joint Committee on Claims. Sent up.
By Mr. Mornson of Ward 9— Petition ot T. & F.
M. Severance, for leave to erect wooden building.
Reretred to Committed on Survsy ana Inspection
of Buildings. Sent up.
By Mr. Rice ot Ward 22— Petition of George W.
Tisoale et al., Stephen Lephola et al., for division
ot Ward 22. R-ferred to Committee on Legisla-
tive Matters.
BOSTON WATER BOARD.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9 submitted a report from
the Committee on Ordinances recommending the
passage in a new draft of the ordinance to estab-
lish the Boston Watet Board. The committee be-
lieve it is not expedient to establish the board as
proposed bj the amendment of Mr. Stone of
Ward 3.
Mr. Cro< ker explained that the alterations were
merely verbal, and no substantial change had
been made.
On motion of Mr. Crocker the ordinance was
read once and ordered printed.
Mr. Flynn of Ward 13 asked if a quorum was
present.
A count showed there was not. and the Presi-
dent declared the Council adjourned.
112
BOARD OF ALDERMEN,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Board of Aldermeu,
FEBRUARY 28, 1876.
Regular meeting ar four o'clock P. M., Alder-
man Clark, Chairman, presiding.
THE YORKTOWN MEMORIAL.
The following was received, read aod sent down:
Executive Department, i
Boston, Feb. 28, 1876. J
To the Honorable the City Council: Gentlemen
— 1 have much pleasure in tiansmitting herewith
a communication ftoui Mayor K. Kemper of
Alexandria. Virgibia, covering a copy of resolu-
tions adopted by the City Council of chat city in
respoi se co au invitation from me that they would
cooperate with the authorities of Boston in aid of
the petition to Congiess for th« erection of the
York town Monument.
Samcel C. Cobb. Mayor.
Mayor's Office, )
Alexandria, Va., Feb. 23, 1876. J
Hon. Samuel C. Cobb, Mayor of Boston: Sir —
Herewith 1 have the honor to transmit a copy of
proceedings of our City Council in regard to the
proposed monument at Yoiktown. In fulfilling
tne official duty tuus imposed on me, I may be al-
lowed to express to you my personal thanks for
the interest manifested iu this matter by rhe good
people of Boston, and m> sincere sympathy with
the ooble object aimed at. Very respectfully,
K, KemPer, Mayor.
An extract tr^m the record of proceedings of
the City Council of Alexandria, Va., at a regular
meeting held on tbe 8th day of February, 1876:
"Mr. Siuoot, fiom the specicial committee to
whom had been referred a communication receiv-
ed from the Mayor of Boston concerning a monu-
ment at Yorktown, pre:- ented the following, which
was adopted :
•' 'To the City Council of Alexandria— Your
committee ro whom was referred the communica-
tion of the Hon. Samuel C. Cobb, Mayor of the
city of Boston, concernirg the Yorktown Monu-
ment, respectfully recommend the adoption of the
following rescluUo:s:
" 'First— That tbe ihanks of the Ameiican people
are due to the emu en t historian, George Bancroft,
Esq., and thb authorities of Boston for the steps
they have taksu in regard to tne long-promised
monument at Yorktown.
" 'Second -That the resolve of Oct. 29, 1781, of
the Congress assembled under the Aiticles of
Confederation, to erect "a marble column at
York, in Virginia, commemorative of the alliance
between Franc* and the Unitea States, and af the
surrender of Earl Cornwaliis to the combined
forces of America and France," is one of those
debts or engagements arising urdei the confeder-
ation provided for by section 1, article 6, of the
Federal Constitution, and might, without wt org,
be cairied out dv the present Congress.
"'Third— That the City Council of Alexandria
cordially unites with the City Government of
Boston in petitioning Congress to have Mie prom-
ised column erected at Yorktown by oi before the
19th day of October, 1881, the centennial anniver-
sary of the great event to be commemorated.
" 'Fourth— That copies of these p/oceedings be
transmitted by cbs Mayor of this city to George
Bancroft, Esq.', to the Mayor of Boston city, and
to the Virginia Representatives in Congress".' "
Copy. Teste,
Arnold Smarden,
Clerk Common Council.
executive nomination confirmed.
Undertaker— William Manning.
MIDDLESEX RAILROAD.
A hearing was held on the petition of the Mid-
dlesex Railroad for the light to lay a single track
in Summsr streat, between Chauncy street and
Lincoln street, (counectiDg with the track now
laid in Summer street), and in Lincoln street, to
connect with lie trajk now laid in Beach stteet;
also co enter upon a d use the tiack in Summer
street, in Beacb street between Lincoln street and
Washington street, and the track in Washington
street betweeu Beacb street and Boyiston street.
Alderman Thompson presented sundry petitions
from ladies and residents of the city of Boston in
aid of the petition of the Middlesex Railroad
Company, now Detore the Board, praying chat tbe
same may be grauted, for the reason— That, gen-
erally residing in the northern portion of the city,
we are entirely dependent on said railroad for our
means of transportation to ibe centre oi the city;
that it is an absolute necessity that we soould be
in easy, frequent and certain communication with
the places of retail business, and thac the pii ci-
pal olaces where our shopping must be done aie
between Winter, Summer and Boylstou streets;
tnatthe places of public amusement, iecture balls.
Public Library, all pUces wi)«ie the ladies of Bos-
ton and its vich.ity are accustomed to resort for im-
provement or pleasure are in the same c icuit ; that
tne ladies of every other part oi Boston have ac-
ees-; by street cars to this locality, except the
undersigned, residents of the northern part of the
city. Tne unreasonableness and injustice of com-
pelling l.«dies by oroer of the Boaid of Aldeimen
of the city of Bostou to w«it on :o reet-comers and
rule :u over-crowded cars while ladies from all
other sections have an unlimited Dumber, is so
apparent that we believe it neeas only to
be stated to your honorobie body to have
such order repealed. Said petitions were
respectively signed by Mrs. Lutber F. Whitney
and 230 othei> ; Miss Mary R. DeCosta and eighty-
five others; Mis. Richard Frothingnam andotj-
ers; Mrs. Marv R. Crowninshield ana others; Mrs.
H. It. Waldron and others; Mrs. Abram E. Cutter
a >u others; Mrs. William Tii'ts ana others; Mrs.
H. A. Cocurn and others; Mrs. D. W. Brown and
others; Mrs. John A. Bates am others.
Alderman Hull presented petitions inaid, signed
by Hon. Eaward Lawrence and 150 othets; don.
R. Frothingham and 225 ochers; William Carleton
and 806 others; O. M. Weotworth a:d 118 others.
Linus M. Coild, counsel for the company, called
attention to tbe state of the petition and the pre-
vious action thereon. Tbe reasoas are stated to a
great extent in the petition and the petitions in
aid of the same. Tne "circuit" nost extends from
Cornhiil to Boyiston street; the -e all the patrons
of retail stores have to go, and desire to go. The
right to run up Washington st<eet to Bcylston
was oace granted the road, but the Metropolitan
road began to run ibeir cai» down Washington
street to Temple place and prevented the Middle-
sex road from running up to Boyiston street.
The patrons of every other toad who have peti-
tioned for the light to ruu round the "circuit"
have b- en granted it; and be claimed that the
patrons of this road have the same rights which
othetshave. He hoped no restriction would be
made in th- case of the Miudlesex road iu regard
to ihe number of cars to run each hour.
Mr. Powers, President of the Middlesex Rail-
road, explained tbe rrute described in the peti-
tion, the legislation in regard to the running of
cais through Washington street, and the oifficultv
eccoucter<-d when the right to ruato Boyiston
street was grouted. This route is the only feasi-
ble one for getting to Boylsto street without in-
terfiling with the running of other cais. There
bad been a continuous importuning fiom patrons
to go beyond Scollay square, and in 1859 the Boa«d
of Aldermeu, seeing chat Du-iness was working
up town, reserved the right for the Middlesex
road to run up Washington stieet when tbe Metro-
politan location was granted. The circuit th tough
Lincoln stieet cai be made iu about the same
time that the cars could go op Washington street.
The principal troub'e from the cars is at Temple
place, a. d this location will relieve Temple place,
and Washington street from Summer street to
Temple place. Tbe restriction of one car in five
minutes is a givat binderance to the company and
an inconvenience to its patrons; tbe Temple-place
ears are very much crowded all the tims .
Natbaniei G. Whiie, president of the Bostou &
Maine Railroad, bad no interest individually, only
for toe a'jeouiniouation of tbe patrons ot his road,
which lanos a laige number of passengers at
Hay market square. Their patrons desire convey-
ance across the city, particularly to tbe Albauy
depot, and Mi. White had been urging tbe exten-
sion for two years. Roads which compete with
the Boston & Maine road have good horse-rail-
toad accommodatious tor reaching other paits of
the citv when tbey land at the deco s, and his
roaci desired to have the same facilities, l'o E. W.
James, who appearea as a reu>oos f rant, he sdd be
would like to get all the accommooation he could.
C. L. Hevwood, superintendent of the Fitch-
burg Railroad, ..-aid all tne remarks of Mr White
FEBRUARY 2 8, 18 76
113
would apply to the Fitchburg Railroad, riid there
is a geosral desire for additional accomroodatrons
between the railroad stations.
Vlr. Aditns, assistant supi-rinteii' eut ot tbe
Fifhburg Railroad, iudorsed Mi. H^ywooo's
statement. As a citizen of Cbarltstrwu tie de-
«ireo th- route granted, and hadheaid tbe moject
much discus ed.
G. Wasbington Warren goes co Charlestown
ev=rv inorniDg, and took the cars s ,tTemple place.
At present tbere is an unequal distribution or'
travel, which ih lome would leraove. It will re-
lieve tne side* a ik-i between Corahill and Temple
place, and by people «ho would tide in the cars if
they e.ou'd have tbe privilege of riding as I at as
ihey want co go. It seemed to him this extension
would be a gieat concession tor the public ad-
vantage. To Mr. James he said h . woiiid be glad
to extend the route to the Piovioeoc- depot, it it
could be comprehended in the same scheme
Hon. Francis Guilds said it seemed that the de-
sirableness of the location is :-o apparent that
nothing more need be said. It would give Charles-
town people communication with this Albany, Old
ColoDy and Providence (.epots, at d the people ot
Charlestown desire the same onvileges that other
einzeus have.
Hou. EdWcJd Lawrence said the petitions pre-
sented snow the vanti of the people there. It
affecs ieal estate; people don't waac to go thero
becau-e the horse car accomaiodaLioos were not
so good as a., the South End ana South Bos'on.
He fully uOucarrel with what bad been said by
others. To Mr. James he said he did n t care
how far tie road was extended. He should not
like to Lave to pay twelve cent- fare.
George McKay said tbe general feeiing in
Charlestown hat- been fu lv and tairly expressed
by the other speaker- . Tue roao dues not pro-
vide the aceoniuodations which the people have
a right to deinaud. It was the opinion th'-re that
the fault lay *ith me companv; but inquiry had
shown that tti r restriction of twelve cars ner hour
was maioly the leasoc They want moie ears up
Washington street, If citizens of other sections
vv-re restricted, Chatlesiovvn peonle would not
complain; they only desire equal right?, with
others. Tne people are not satished with stopping
<a temple place or Bovlston street.
Edgar Moore knew thai complaints are mate of
insufficient accommodations for pa.trons of tbe
Middlesex Rai'road; this route would secure the
acc'immodatioii needed, if the company put on
sufficient cars, which he had been assured they
would do.
Hon. James Adams said the people desire better
railroad accommodations, which they believe will
be secured by the granting of this petitio i.
John N. Deveieux, a member of the Common
Council from Charlestown, said the people there
are suffering f r want of railroad accommoda-
tions. Public i terest his b j en promoted by the
cars running r<> Temple pi ce, but the cars are
crowded: tbev nay lor the privilege of banging
on to the plottorm. He ban coumed five South
Boston cars to one tor Charlestown, and thought
it unjust for th*» latter, with 35,000 people, lo
have ouly one-fifth the accommodation given
the former with 40,000. He indorsel all
that hao been saio. To Alderman Bur-
rage be said the scarcity of cars applied
to tbe route below Scollay square as well as
above, t.ut the people are bettei accommodated
by tbe Main-street line to Temple place. To
Alderman Brgelow he said he thought the route
would relieve Washington street. To tbe Chair-
man he -aid he did n't think the popiil&tiou 60.000,
but spoke ironi memory. To Mr. James he said
he had n't noticed any great blockmg up of Tre-
mont street. The Chairman asked whether
thediailestown people woula be better accommo-
dated by granting this location than by allowing
the Metropolitan cars to run to Charlestown, and
Mr. Devereux replied that that would oepeud
upoQ how far they would be allowed to go.
Anthony ». Morss anl Benjamin F. Bro wo in-
dorsed all that had been said; the latter adding that
m.,ty peo jle wait some time to get a car to Tem-
ple place, letting empty cars pass which go only
to Scollay square, and taking a crowded car up
Washington stteet.
Mi. Powers reao a letter fioni tbe vice presi-
dent of the Boston & Albany road, giviag reasons
for a closer conneciion between the northern and
southern depots.
To Alderman Burrage— Mr. Powers said tbev did
not propose to run cart tbroug.i Temple place, if
the lo -ation is granted, wuich will caus r a more
equal distribution of the travel.
E. W. Jam«s siid the Board had on? corporation
beie last Monday and anotoerone toJay; perhaps
ai other one next Monde y. He hoped the condi-
tion, would be p-it in that the location would be
revoked it the track is not laid in a y.ar. He
wanted a few of the cars to run through Charles
street to accommodate the West End oeople.
Mr. Child, in c'osmg the hearing, said rhi feel-
ings of th- citizens of Charlestown is apparent in
regard to the number ot n.ars and tbe company is
put in a false position, wher- as it is trying to do
a 11 it can tor its patrons, but is prevented o\ the
restrictions put oo its location and the numbei of
cars it is allowed to run. Tbe citizens of Charles-
town feel that they are the only community in the
city who are restricted as to where they shall go
in the cars. They a-k a reasonable route that will
accommodate tue peopk. If there is not room
enough to accommodate all people who want to
come here, let it be so published to the world, and
let the restiictions be placea on all communities
alike.
Mr. Powers presented petitions from the presi-
dents of toe I'ltchburg, Boston & Albiay, and
Boston & Maine Railroad, in aid or the petition of
Middlesex Railroad Company.
This closed the hearing and the petition was re-
commnted, and tin petitions in an were referred
to the Committee on Paving.
STEAM ENGINES.
The petitio of J F. Taylor for leave to locate
and use a steam engi le and boiler oi. North Bea-
con street, near Parsons st.eet, Brighton, was con-
sidered on an orde. of notics. No one aupeaved
to object, and the petition was referred to the
Committ-e on Steam Engines.
A petition vas receiveo from James S. Newell
for r-ave to roc rte and use a steam engine and
bonei at 71 Lincoln steet, and an order of rotice
was parsed tor hearing theieon on Monday, March
20, at four o'clock P. M.
PETITIONS REFERRED
To the Joint, Committee on Public Lands. First
Church, Bosiou, for a deed of tbe Una on Berke-
ley street, upon vvhicti their edifice stands, the
amount or the ourchase money having been paid •
but the agreement of the city to give the deed
having been mislaid, tbe society asks that the sur-
render thereof be waived.
To the Committee on Health on the part ot
the Board. J. F. Wilson, for leave to eiect a pri-
vacy stable of brick for iw>> horses at 12 Allen
street; also petitions ror leave to occupy stables
as follows: Frohock & Young, new wooden, one
cow and three horses, real 824-6 Albany streer,-
HiramDeluce, ne v wooden, six hoises, rear 631
East Seco^a street; Patrick Drary, new wooden
two horses, Gerard street.
To the Committee on Common, etc. N M
Jewett et al., that Pre.-cott square be put in o'raer
and fenced.
To the Committee on .Sewers. Willard Q Phil-
lips, against assessment for sewer in Amory -treet
To the Committee on Claims. Mis. Catherine
O'Brien, fcr damages on Regent strt. t.
Henry Norwell and James M. Smith to be in-
demnified fot loss as sureties on contract of Mc-
Donald tor work on the Francis street School-
house.
To the Joint Committee on Assessors' Depart-
ment. Episcopal City Mission, that the tax of 1875
on their estate on Purchase stieer be refunded
To the Committee on Police. E. H. Treadw'av
tor leave to maintain a druggist's mortar at cor-
ner of Tenneysor. aid Church streets.
Easr Boston Relief Association, for additional
soup facilities at East Boston.
To the Committee on Paving. Samuel H Al-
len et at., tuat sidewalks be laid on a portion ot
Warwick stn et aud a certain passageway graded
A. V. Meserve et al., that Thornton street be re-
numbered.
Herbert Radclvffe et al.. that a plank sidewalk
be laid on Do. Chester avenue, from Centre stieet
to the Lower Mills.
Stephen L. Emery et al., that Roslm street,
Harley street and Wells avenue, Waid 24, be nut
in order for travel. *
Hilton, Wet ton & Co. et al., against the proposed
lecation of the Metropolitan Railroad in Frarklin
and other s reets.
Ellen McDirmott, to be paid for grade damages
on Athens street, corner A street.
J. F. Taylor et ah, tbat Western avenue in Ward
114
HOARD OF ALDKKMEN,
23 be constructed at its full width and macadam-
ized.
N. M. Jewett et al, that portions of Eagle and
Prescott streets i>« graded and put in oraer.
Eosea B. Bowen at al., that Silver street be
graded rod payed between Dorchester and <;
streets.
R. F. Means et al., to be i aid for grade damages
on Six' 1 ) street.
Jacob \V. Roberts et at., that Main stieet,
Charlestown, be paveo With granite olocks.
J. din 15. Mulvey, for the grade of H<'atli street,
between Bickford street aid Heath place.
BOSTON, REVERE BEACH & LYNN RAILROAD.
The deciee permitting the Boston, Revere Beach
& Lynn Rai'r.>*d Coi;ia iy to taisa th. grade of
Everett street at the intersection of -aiu stieet
with said railroad, on certaiu conditions, was cou-
sioerett under untinished business.
Aldertnao Scebbins — It the giade of that street
is changed by the location ot this budge, will the
corporation or tne city be icspoosible?
Alderman Bigelow— The corporation is responsi-
ble, and ttie city will not permit it to commence
work there until a bond ha< been given to indem-
nify the ^butteis against any loss or damage that
mav acciue from the change of grad«.
Aid- rmaB Steobiiis-1 old not uotice that provi-
sion in toe order, thou'jn I learu from the city
clerk that it is all provided for iu the Genera!
Satutes relation to this matter.
The Chairman read the following:
A. railroad corporation may taise or lower »oy
highway or o f her <* ay for the purpose of having
its road pass over or under the same; but. before
proceedi . g to cioss, alter or excavate for the pur-
poseof crossing the way, it shall obtain lioai the
County Commissioners a decree prescribing what
alterations may be made in the way, and the man-
ner and time of making the alterations oi struc-
tures the commissioners may lequire at the cross-
ing; cud befuie entering upon, excavating or al-
tering the wav, shal 1 g've security, satisfactory to
the commis-iouers, to the city or town in which
the crossing is situated, that it will faithfully
comply with the lequiremeuts of the dec ea to
th« acceptance ot the commissioners, and indem-
nify the city ot town from all damages and
charges by reason of any failure so to do. [Chap.
372, Sect. 88—1874 ]
Alderman Stebbios— Does the order provide that
they shall satisfy the owneis of the sev-
eral estates and indemnify them for tne
change of grade? I laise this inquiry be-
cause at the present time there are >everal
unsettled claims for grade damages at this
particular point. It will De remembered by the
members of the Boat i last year that wi had our
attention called to the matter by a large number
of persons who owned estates adjoining the Bos-
ton, Revere Beach & Lynn Railroad. They com-
plained that the railroad had paid no attemioti to
their claims and that they had been unable to
effect a settlement. The matter was heard by the
Board and referred to tae Committee on Paving,
but I am not aware that more than one settle-
ment has been made, toe company cjotestiug the
claims. The people affected ate of the poorer
class, perhaps not familiar with the la * and do
not know how to obtain their rights,— in other
words, they desire this Board ot Aldermen to
compel the corporation to pay for the damages to
the small estates. I doa't know that there is any
way to reach the matter, but I should be happy if
an order were passed compelling them to pay the
damages before they declare any furthei divi-
dends.
Alderman Bigelow— It is true that this corpora-
tion did commence woik ?,nd raise the giv.de
without any authority from the city, but they
were trespassers, and the parties presented their
claims to the citj tor adjustment; but upon con-
suiting the City Solicitor, the Cooimuteeon Pav-
ing were informed ttu.t the city was not liable,
not having given anv authority for the change of
grade, and is wot liable until such authority is
given. The railroad company, finding they nad
made a mistake in tne grade thus established,
proposed to reduce 't about three quarters, ana it
is tor to? t purpose this order granting tne privi-
lege is offei'd; but before entering upon any
change, we shall require them to give the neces-
sary security. I wish to state here, that the Com-
mittee on Paving have done their best, from the
commencement ot this road, to get a bund that
would indemnify not only the city but the abutters
who have suffered, but so far they have been un-
able to do so. They have uov tleierajiml ' hat be-
fore anything else is done a bond satisfactory to
the Board of Aldenneu shall be given by the
railroad company.
Alderman Burrage — I would say in an wer to
the Alderman from Wa.-d 12, that the Oity Solici-
tor, as ujv colleague stated, was ooi suited.) and he
gave the opinion decidedly that thf city is not lia-
ble for tne damage i he rai'road occasions io the
abutter.'-. Unuei the law the laiiroad io e i> ic-
spou-ib'e to the abutters, li would not be ex ie-
dier t f"i the city to step is aatl as-uao o the re-
sponsibilities of the railroad to the lardholders,
and this bond is taken to save ihe citj harmless
against an> thing which the railroad comtmiy may
oo to the city, but not the abuttets. L'ooer the
act the railway company have the right to do cer-
tain things, and they must pav the damages; we,
as County Commi-sioneis, giving them die ngbt
of wav, but not assuming reponsibility for the
damages they cause. That was tbe opinion of the
City Solicitor.
Alderman Bigelow— I oelieve that the city hav-
ing once givea a permit to change the grade, have
to become restjonsibl ;; but up to this time we
have given no permission. They uave acted with-
out any autbonty whatever, but we now propose
to give them permission and assume the responsi-
bility, for which we claim a bond to indemnify the
abutters for the damage whrcn the city, having
given the permission, i- "responsible for.
Aldertnaa Stebbins — That was ju-tthe point I
desired to taise whnn I first called attention to it.
When the "riginal location wis granted in 1874 we
established a certain grade for this load. The or-
tlei was passed by a majority oi the members of
this Board, and it refers to certain plaus, without
mentioning the particular estates affected by the
change. Tne qu°stioo «ithme was wbether,*hav-
ing given this road a particular grade, — by refer-
ence in th- order to a particular grade— we can
now change it to some other giade without as-
suming responsibility for any damag-s caused by
the new grade given. That is the point I wished
to raise iu rhe first olace.
Alderman Biaelo v — I bflieve we did f.ive them
that right, but thay oiu not follow the grade toen
established. Th u y' find trey have made a mistake
and built the road upon the 'vrong giade, and now
come in, acknowledging their error, and a-king
permission to lower the grade of the road by low-
ering the street to the grade now established.
Alderman Burrage— My recollection of tbe City
Solicitor's opi' ion is a little different from that of
my cnlleague. I understood him to say distinctly
that we, as County Commissioners, are not respon-
sible for any carnage, The Couutv Commissioneis
merely adjudicate, and decide whether tae giade
of the road shall be changed; but we are not re-
sponsible for any damage. The abutters must
look exclusively to the railroad company for dam-
ages.
Alderman Sampson— If the city has giv^n the
corporation the privilege of going though a
street, and it has beeo built upon, can it authorize
the corooration to change the giaCe without be-
coming lvspor: sifrle ?
Aldtrman Buir-ge— That puzzled me at first,
until it was explained. The city dies n't act in
this matter; it is the County Commisiionsis. It
is so in otner counties. The County Commission-
er- >e applied to to lav out roads and adjudicate
in such matters, but thev are not re. ponsibie for
damages by the change of grade or the laying out
of the road. The names must look tor redress to
those who lay out the road.
Alderman Sampson— Then the Board of Alder-
men, i.s County Commissione/s, having fixed the
grade before, can authorize a corporatiou to
change the grade without being hepijrespoosiblf ?
Alderman Burrage -I so understand it distinctly
from rhe City Solicitor.
Alderman Sampson — I understood from a mem-
ber of the committee that in this decree a provi-
sion was made that' indemnity should be given
for any damage caused by the change of grade.
If that is not the case 1 should object to the
order. I think that the city having once
givea the grade, and tte land havmc been
occupied and built upon, at the grade established
by the city, it would be hardly fair tor tne city to
step in as County Commissioners and change' ihe
grade, and tell the abutteis to look to rhe corpora-
tion for compensation for their damages.
Aldeiman Bigelow— I think the gentleman is
under a misapprehension. We have never given
them permi-sion to change the giade, and are not
responsible now; but when we pass rhis order and
FEBRUARY 28. 1876.
115
give ttiem the right to change the grade, we be-
come responsible, and therefoie we claim a bond
from them.
Alderman Burrage — As there is a little differ-
ence in the recollection of the City Solicitor's
opinion in this matter, I move that it he on cne
table.
Tr>e motion prevailed.
PAPER? FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL,
Petitions were ref«rr6d in concurrence.
Older to pay $30, the amount of a lo=c coupon,
to the Bank of Frarce. Passed in coucuirence. <a«
Older to allow and pay $162.50, the .xpense of
making a phouograputc* report of the evidence
and arguments m the contested election case of
Casey vs. Sua*. Passed in concurrence.
An order tor the Mayor to petition the General
Court for the passage of an act for the division of
Ward 22 into two waids, with authority 10 elect
two Councilmen from each ward, came up referred
to the Comuiitiee on Legislative Matters. Con-
curred.
The order to tianster $5000 from the Reserved
Fund, to be a special appropiiation tor grading
and curbing the square on Commouweatth ave-
nue between Fa'rfleld at<d Gloucester streets,
came up referred to the Com nittee on Finance.
Concurred.
INVITATION ACCEPTED.
An invitation was received from John A. An-
drew Post 15, G. A. R., >o attend the services of
Memorial Day at Music Hall. Accented, on mo-
tion of AldeimaD Buriage.
JAIL EXPENSES.
A requisition was received from the Sheriff of
Suffolk Couoty for $1791.65, for expeuses at the
jail for February. Ordeied paid.
FINANCE.
The Chairman submitted the following from th Q
Committee on Finance:
Chelsea Bridge. Report representing chat they
have received info mation from the City Engineer
that theiv. will be balances of the special appro-
priation tor the rebuilding of Maiden Bridge,
Meridian-street and Charles- River bridges, of
$30,000, which will be nseoed for the purpose of
lebu'lding the coming year of a portion of the
Ctelsea Bridge which ha? been decided upoa by
the Committee ou Budges; and inasmuch as the
aforesaid appropriations we^e soeciaHy rai«ed tor
the rebuilding of bridges and not used", s nd torm-
iog no parr 'f the regular annual appropriations,
your committee would recommend the passage of
the accunpanving order :
Ordered. That the Auditor of Accounts be and
he is hereby autbo ized to transfer from the ap-
propriation* tor Maldeo Bridge, $25,000; from
Meridian-street Bridge, $30fiO, and from Cnailes
Rivei Budge, $2000, to that tor Chelsea Biidge.
Read twice ^no passed— yeas U, navs 0. Sent
down.
Northampton-street District. Report ou report
of Commitree on Claims m regard to Northamp-
ton-street District aDpropiiation, recommencing
the passage of toe following:
Ordered, That the, Auditor of Accounts be and
hfcheienyis authorized to transfer from the Re-
served Find to the nppropriauou for Northamp-
ton-street District, $2000.
Read twice and passed— yeas 11, nays 0. Sent
down.
Lost Coupons Paid. Report on petition of
Thomas B. Harris to 
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